LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON.  N.  J. 


PRESENTED   BY 


.  Hup ton  Dixon 


BR  1725  .H34  A32  1865 
Hall,  John  Vine,  1774-1860. 
Hope  for  the  hopeless 


- 


HOPE  FOR  THE  HOPELESS. 

AN  AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

OF 
■ 

JOHN  VINE  HALL, 

AUTHOR  OF  "THE  SINNER'S  FRIEND." 

EDITED  BY 

REV.  NEWMAN  HALL,  LL.B. 

OF  SURREY  CHAPEL,    LONDON. 
ABRIDGED  WITH  THE  AUTHOR'S  SANCTION. 


PUBLISHED   BY  THE 

AMERICAN  TRACT   SOCIETY, 

150  NASSAU-STREET,  NEW  YORK 


The  Eev.  Newman  Hall,  successor  of  Rowland  Hill  in  Sur- 
rey chapel,  London,  committed  the  English  edition  of  this 
work,  comprising  nearly  five  hundred  pages,  to  the  American 
Tract  Society,  to  be  abridged  as  judged  best  for  its  widest 
usefulness.  It  has  been  curtailed  by  omitting  Mr.  Vine  Hall's 
more  extensive  records  of  his  labors  for  criminals  and  prison- 
ers and  of  his  applying  Perkins'  electric  or  "metallic  trac- 
tors "  for  the  relief  of  suffering,  and  by  dropping  many  of  his 
letters  and  sundry  other  details. 

The  vital  aim  to  strengthen  the  great  principles  of  the 
Temperance  Reformation,  in  the  origin  of  which  he  was  in- 
deed "a  burning  and  a  shining  light,"  sometimes  presenting 
himself  to  assembled  thousands  as  one  hopelessly  lost,  but  res- 
cued by  Divine  grace  from  the  depths  of  ruin  ;  and  his  aim 
to  magnify  that  grace  in  the  writing  and  marvellous  success 
of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  have  been  scrupulously  cherished 
and  sacredly  regarded. 


TO  THE  AMERICAN  READER. 


On  the  lip  of  the  Mediterranean,  in  an  obscure  street,  stand* 
a  small,  gloomy  chapel.  In  itself  uninteresting,  it  attracts  niulli. 
ludes  of  pilgrims  from  all  quarters  of  the  world,  and  of  all  sects. 
The  secret  of  its  attractiveness  is,  that  it  enshrines  three  pieces  of 
unique  and  beautiful  statuary,  each  of  life  size,  and  of  exquisite 
workmanship.  So  highly  are  they  esteemed  as  specimens  of  art, 
that  their  weight  in  silver  coin,  it  is  said,  has  been  offered  for 
their  purchase. 

The  subject  represented  by  one  of  these  is  a  dead  Christ,  just 
taken  from  the  cross.  The  anatomy  of  the  figure  perfect ;  the 
expression  in  the  features  of  placid  and  grateful  repose,  blended 
strangely  with  the  traces  of  recent  agony,  wonderfully  impressive  ; 
the  whole  covered  with  a  veil,  but  figure  and  veil  alike  chiselled 
from  the  same  block  of  marble. 

Another  figure,  which  is  specially  to  the  present  purpose,  and 
which  is  also  created  from  an  entire  block,  represents  a  young 
man  enveloped  by  a  net.  Despair  and  hope  are  as  mysteriously 
blended  in  this  countenance  as  are  repose  and  agony  in  the  other. 
The  captive  is  in  the  act  of  struggling  for  escape.  Every  nerve  is 
strained.  He  has  grappled  frantically  with  his  toils,  and  one  or 
two  of  the  meshes  have  given  way.  But  behind  him,  away  froni 
his  hue  of  vision,  stands  his  guardian  angel,  now  acting  as  his 
helper.  His  agency  is  unsuspected,  but  real ;  and  every  spectator, 
sympathizing  with  the  captive  of  vice,  exclaims  unawares,  "He 
loill  get  free!" 

"What  is  thus  beautifully  symbolized  in  the  sombre  chapel  of 
Naples,  is  shown  as  a  reality  in  the  book  here  presented.  The  pit- 
iless tyranny  of  the  giant  vice  of  our  day;  the  horror  and  despera- 
tion of  one  conscious  at  last  of  the  power  that  enthralls  him  ;  his 
wild  struggles  for  deliverance  ;  his  despair  alternating  with  hope  ; 
his  sinking  faintness;  his  rallying  resolution,  his  discouragements, 


4  TO   THE   AMERICAN   READER. 

bis  relapses,  bis  impotence,  bis  helpers — are  all  depicted  to  tbc  life 
in  tbc  marble  group  and  in  tbc  written  book. 

But  hero  the  parallel  ends.  Tbc  emblem  culminates  in  tbe 
presence  of  the  angel  and  tbc  beginning  of  emancipation.    But  the 

book  portrays  tbe  efficiency  of  tbe  angel :  tbe  success,  the  exulta- 
tion, tbc  clustering  fruits  of  emancipation,  perennial  through  a 
md  peaceful  life.  The  emblem  is  rich  ;  the  reality  richer. 
Tbe  emblem,  though  touchingly  suggestive,  is  mute  ;  the  reality, 
eloquent.  The  one  is  marble  ;  tbe  other,  life.  In  that  the  artist 
bespeaks  your  pity  and  sympathy  for  another;  in  this,  the  £r<  i  -1- 
man  tells  you  of  himself.  You  have  tbc  record  of  bis  experience, 
the  burning  words  wrung  from  his  own  heart,  bis  quivering  notes 
of  thanksgiving,  bis  fervid  ascriptions  of  "Grace,  grace!"  bis  sad 
analysis  of  tbe  thraldom,  bis  subdued  rapture  of  deliverance.  And 
he  also  tells  you,  modestly  but  truthfully,  of  the  blessed  usefi 
to  which  one  maybe  raised  even  from  tbe  very  mire  and  impotence 
of  hopeless  degradation. 

Many  hints  are  incidentally  given  in  these  pages  by  which,  it 
our  Temperance  Volunteers  will  seize  upon  and  ponder  them,  they 
will  be  tbe  better  equipped  and  tbe  better  skilled  for  their  heroic 
warfare.  May  God  grant  it ;  for  if  any  soldiery  need  discretion 
as  well  as  valor,  surely  and  eminently  do  they. 

A  word  to  those  who  are  in  tbe  net.  A  word !  No.  Before 
him  who  though  dead  yet  speaketb,  tbe  writer  will  be  dumb.  "We 
only  commend  his  words.  They  echo  to  your  experience.  Tbsy 
breathe  tbe  sympathy  of  a  true  heart  for  your  sadness  and  your 
condition.  They  are  big  with  hope.  "When  you  have  read  them, 
hope  you  must,  hope  you  will.  And  then— and  then  ?  Act  on  hope  ? 
Some  angel— perhaps  unseen— will  stand  near  to  heli>.  God  will 
provide. 


PREFACE. 


This  book  is  a  genuine  autobiography.  The  manu- 
script was  so  carefully  written,  that  scarcely  a  word 
needed  correction,  and  I  have  abstained  fr<5hi  editorial 
comments.  My  work  has  been  simply  that  of  selecting, 
from  fourteen  closely  written  large  quarto  volumes,  those 
portions  which  I  thought  most  likely  to  interest  the 
reader,  to  illustrate  impartially  the  character  of  the  auto- 
biographer,  and  to  accomplish  his  main  object  in  writing. 

If  any  reader  should  censure  me  for  making  the 
book  too  large,  he  might,  could  he  see  the  quantity  of 
material  before  me,  give  me  some  credit  for  self-restraint 
in  publishing  so  little. 

The  repetition  towards  the  end  of  the  diary  may 
appear  tedious,  but  it  is  a  faithful  representation  of  the 
habitual  character  of  the  autobiographer's  penitence, 
gratitude,  and  zeal,  and  may  be  a  useful  lesson  of  "  pa- 
tient continuance  in  well-doing." 

I  hope  I  shall  be  excused  for  having  inserted  a  few 
out  of  many  references  to  myself.  To  have  excluded 
the  whole  would  have  been  an  affectation  of  modesty  on 
my  part,  and  would  have  implied  an  unnatural  omission 
on  that  of  my  father. 

If  any  reader  is  surprised  that  a  son  should  publish 
a  record  of  painful  circumstances  which  half  a  century 
of  godliness  and  philanthropy  had  obliterated  from  the 
memory  of  every  one  but  the  father  who  wrote  it,  my 


G  PREFACE. 

reply  is,  that  the  very  love  and  reverence  I  cherish  tow- 
ards  that  father  demand,  at  any  cost  of  personal  feel- 
ing, the  fulfilment  of  his  own  long  cherished  purpose. 
He  often  spoke  of  his  diary,  intimating  that  after  his 
death  it  would  be  made  public.  It  bears  internal  evi- 
dence of  this  intention.  On  several  occasions  he  sol- 
emnly intrusted  the  task  to  myself.  Having  undertaken 
it  at  all,  I  was  bound  to  execute  it  so  as  to  accomplish 
his  own  object.  All  who  knew  him  and  all  who  read 
his  autobiography  must  feel  that  this  object,  during 
nearly  fifty  years,  was,  by  his  own  history,  to  magnify 
the  mercy  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  sinners.  Knowing 
him  only  after  his  great  deliverance,  I  feel  pained  in  per- 
petuating a  record  of  what  is  so  contrary  to  the  idea  of 
him  with  which  alone  I  am  familiar.  But  no  personal 
considerations  would  have  justified  the  omission,  or  even 
the  softening  down  of  his  own  language,  in  relation  to 
his  earlier  life.  Moreover,  as  with  the  biographies  of 
the  Bible,  the  record  of  the  faults  of  God's  saints  is  not 
the  least  profitable  element  in  their  history. 

May  he  who  during  life  was  made  so  useful  to  mul- 
titudes, and  who  "  being  dead,  yet  speaketh,"  still,  by 
the  Divine  blessing  on  this  autobiography,  encourage 
desponding  sinners  to  trust  in  the  sinner's  Friend,  and 
stimulate  many  professed  Christians  to  a  life  of  more 
fervent  love  to  God  and  more  habitual  zeal  in  his  service. 

NEWMAN  HALL. 

Hampstead,  (near  Loudon,)  Feb.  1,  1865. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

INCIDENTS  OF  LIFE  TILL  HIS  MAItKIAGE. 

Providential  escapes.  Youthful  dissipation.  Infidelity.  Settle- 
ment at  Worcester.     Courtship  and  marriage -*- 11 

CHAPTER  II. 

CONFLICT  AND  DEFEAT. 

Smoke-shops.  Appeal  of  conscience.  Ruin.  Imtemperance. 
"Lucky  escape."  Penitence.  Death  of  his  mother.  Member  of 
the  Methodist  church.  Trustee  and  treasurer.  P^^blic  prayer  and 
exhortation.  Fall.  Christian  charity.  Recovery.  Repeated  falls. 
Self-abhorrence.     "Wrestling  in  prayer.     In  the  gulf 37 

CHAPTER  III. 

CONFLICT  AND  VICTORY. 

Temptation  resisted.  Sermon  by  Dr.  Adam  Clarke.  Return  to 
Maidstone.  Relapse.  Power  of  tenderness.  The  verge  of  de- 
spair. Alternations  of  success  and  failure.  A  ray  of  hope.  Hope  ; 
help;  defeat.  Desperate  resolve.  Falling  and  repenting.  Fallen 
again.  Rivers  of  tears.  Spirituous  liquors  abandoned.  Strength 
and  joy.  Liberation.  Divine  grace  large  and  free.  Family  wor- 
ship. Porter  dangerous ;  abandoned.  The  last  evil  leaven  re- 
jected.    Sad  remembrances 51 

CHAPTER  IV. 

EMANCIPATION. 

Peace  of  mind.  Fate  of  early  companions.  Thanksgivings. 
Temptations.  Grateful  review.  Precious  blessings.  All  of  grace. 
Helping  a  fellow-sinner.     The  rewards  of  kindness 85 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

"THE  SINNER'S  FRIEND." 

Origin  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend."  First  edition  of  one  thou- 
sand. Sowing  seed.  Second  edition  of  two  thousand.  The  seed 
taking  root  The  dumb  woman.  The  prison  chaplain.  The  Wa- 
terloo veteran  and  Lord  K .    Eighth  edition  of  "The  Sinner's 

Friend."  Tenth  and  eleventh  editions.  Fifteenth  and  twentieth 
editions.  "Welsh  edition.  Tahitian  edition.  The  seed  broadcast 
99 

CHAPTER  VI. 

"WISDOM'S  PATHS  PEACE." 
Daily  conflicts.     Gratitude  to  God.     Indwelling  sin.     Study  of 
the  Bible.     Isms.     Happier  than  a   king.      Rev.    H.    Townley. 
Temptations.    Joy  for  emancipation.    Wine  "disgusting."    Chris- 
tian affinity ;  or  interview  with  the  Earl  of .     Joyous  pride. 

Deliverance  from  frightful  temptation.  Old  kindnesses  repaid. 
Wedding  anniversary.  A  despairing  deist.  Prisoners  raised  to 
usefulness.  Suffering  and  hope  for  inebriates.  Joyous  reunion 
118 

CHAPTER  YIL 

"WHO  MAKETH  THEE  TO  DIFFER?" 

Dangerous  illness.  Wine,  as  medicine,  refused.  A  trip  to 
France.     Forty  years  ago,  and  now.     Old  companions.     To  the 

Hon.  S.  T .     Why  grace  for  me?    Precious  fruits  from  "The 

Sinner's  Friend."  An  old  companion  saved.  Rich  results  of  to- 
tal abstinence.  Mr.  Williams  the  missionary.  Deep  sense  of  sins. 
God  our  refuge  and  strength  - 137 

CHAPTER  VLH. 

"BRINGING  IN  SHEAVES." 

Spiritual  Joy.  Sixty-sixth  birthday.  Overwhelming  gratitude. 
Wonderful  grace.     Usefulness  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."    Publio 

testimony  to  God's  grace.    Grateful  reminiscences.    To  Col.  H . 

The  fiddler  of  every  party.  "The  Sinner's  Friend  "  at  Jerusalem, 
and  in  France.  Papal  edict.  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  Ger- 
many ;  in  Russia.     Increasing  circulation  of  it,     Christ  precious. 


CONTENTS.  9 

Twenty-five  years  a  Bechabite.    Bemarkablo  answer  to  prayer. 
Blessings  of  total  abstinence.     ' '  Wonderful  escape  " 152 

CHAPTER  IX. 

CONTENT. 

"The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  Greek  ;  in  Karatonga.  Doctors  Raf- 
fles and  Harris.  Albion  chapel.  Hull.  In  cottages.  In  the 
docks.  Buoyant  at  seventy.  Missionaries  from  Tahiti.  Tearful 
gratitude  and  joy.  "What  I  was,  and  what  I  am."  To  his  son 
Newman.  Poor  Okill.  Bible  studies.  Bunyan  and  Newton.  Dr. 
Malan.  To  his  son  Arthur.  Letter  from  tho  queen.  Dr.  Gor- 
don.    Pleasing  incidents.     To  daughter  Eleanor 170 

CHAPTER  X. 

SERENE  AGE. 

Alone,  and  not  alone.  Eightieth  year.  Eeception  by  the  arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury.  Blessings  inward  and  outward.  Removal 
to  London.  The  negro  Christian.  Wealth  "more  than  ever." 
"The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  Chinese.  An  old  companion.  Won- 
der, love,  and  praise.  Visit  to  the  archbishop.  Sad  memories ; 
pleasant  ones.  Mercies  recounted.  Trip  to  Wales.  Mutiny  in 
India.  Address  at  Surrey  chapel.  Forty  years'  total  abstinence. 
Then  and  now.  The  Great  Eastern.  Marriage  of  his  son.  Last 
sickness  and  death 202 

CHAPTER  XI. 

FILIAL  REMINISCENCES  BY  THE  EDITOR. 

Pleasant  companion.  Courage.  Diligence  in  business.  Punc- 
tuality. Caution.  Maxims.  As  a  deacon.  Generosity.  Tender- 
ness. As  a  son.  As  a  father.  Sunday  evening  at  home.  Longr 
conflict  between  conversion  and  triumph  over  besetting  sin.  Ar- 
gument for  total  abstinence.  Answers  to  prayer.  His  Christi- 
anity charitable,  humble,  and  zealous.     His  monument 2*4 


JOHN  VINE  HALL.* 


CHAPTER  I. 

INCIDENTS  OF  LIFE   TILL  HIS  MARRIAGE. 
A.  D.  1774  TO  1806,  AGE  32. 

Surrounded  now — 1820 — with  every  blessing, 
my  mind  is  led  to  contrast  present  happiness  with 
past  trials,  and  to  reflect  on  the  manifold  wisdom 
of  God  in  his  dealings  towards  me.  The  great 
scroll  of  Providence  has  been  gradually  unfolding 
from  my  birth  to  the  present  hour. 

I  am  now  seated  as  master  of  that  house  in 
which  as  a  boy  I  occupied  the  lowest  place.  I  was 
of  a  willing  disposition,  and  desirous  to  please 
everybody.  God  blessed  my  endeavors,  and  in  turn 
everybody  became  pleased  with  "little  Jack."  In 
the  course  of  time  I  became  more  useful,  and 
drudgery  work  was  conferred  on  another.     I  conr 

*  John  Vine  Hall  was  born  at  Diss,  in  Norfolk,  England,  March 
14,  1774,  and  died  18G0,  in  his  87th  year.  His  father  failing  in 
business,  "Little  Jack,"  at  twelve  years  of  age,  was  sent  to  earn 
his  own  bread  as  an  errand-boy  in  the  shop  of  Mr.  M ,  a  sta- 
tioner and  wine-merchant  at  Maidstone.  The  body  of  the  volume 
consists  of  his  own  records  of  his  history,  the  closing  chapter  be- 
ing a  summary  view  of  his  life  and  character  by  the  editor,  Roy. 
Newman  Hall. 


12  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

tinned  to  rise  step  after  step,  but  through  scenes  of 
wickedness  of  every  description,  till  my  heart  be- 
came changed  and  filled  with  desire  to  love  and 
honor  that  God  whose  laws  I  had  set  at  defiance. 
Oh  the  depths  of  the  mercy  of  God  to  sinners,  even 
if  their  sins  have  been  red  as  crimson,  for  mine 
were  surely  snch  ;  and  yet  I  have  been  restored 
through  Jesus  Christ,  who  has  indeed  "redeemed 
my  life  from  destruction,  and  crowned  me  with  lov- 
ing kindness  and  tender  mercies." 

Indeed  I  may  well  say  that  God  himself  hath 
saved  my  life  from  absolute  destruction,  when  I 
record  the  following  accidents  which  have  already 
happened  to  me,  although  I  have  doubtless  been 
preserved  by  the  same  invisible  hand  from  a  far 
greater  number  of  unseen  dangers. 

"When  about  four  years  old,  I  fell  through  the 
ice  upon  a  small  river,  at  Gissing,  in  Norfolk,  but 
was  rescued  from  death.  About  the  same  time  a 
horse  I  was  playing  with  in  a  field  kicked  me  in  the 
stomach  and  threw  me  into  the  air,  but  did  me  no 
other  injury  than  a  few  bruises.  "When  eight  years 
of  age,  I  got  a  horse  out  of  my  father's  stable, 
mounted  his  bare  back,  and  stood  my  brother  Jo- 
seph up  before  me,  he  being  only  four  years  old. 
In  this  manner  we  were  suffered  to  proceed  several 
miles.     When  turning  the  horse  to  return  home,  he 

off  at  full  gallop.  My  brother  fell  off  first  and 
v  as  taken  up  for  dead,  and  I  was  pitched  upon  my 
I*  it  shoulder  and  taken  up  with  my  left  arm  broken. 

The  nr\t  year  -1783—1  was  playing  with  other 
boys  in  a  loft,  and  trying  to  jump  across  a  large  space 


LIFE   TO   HIS   MAEEIaGE.  13 

in  the  floor,  I  fell  to  the  ground  below,  and  my  head 
was  thrown  with  great  violence  against  the  edge  of 
a  sharp  flint-stone,  which  sunk  into  my  forehead 
close  over  ruy  left  eye,  and  made  a  dreadful  wound. 
I  was  taken  up  for  dead,  but  I  recovered  after  a 
long  illness,  retaining  a  scar  which  forms  a  very 
prominent  feature  in  my  countenance,  to  keep  me 
in  remembrance  of  the  mercy  of  God.  But  as  1  was 
a  sadly  wicked  boy,  these  great  escapes  had  no 
effect  whatever  to  make  me  better.  I  was  become 
so  notoriously  bad,  that  when  any  mischief  was  per- 
petrated, all  the  neighbors  would  cry  out,  "  Ah,  it  is 
done  by  that  wicked  boy,  Vine  Hall." 

When  I  had  attained  my  eleventh  year,  my  fa- 
ther put  me  apprentice  to  Mr.  G ,  a  schoolmas- 
ter, who  taught  me  to  write  the  law  hands,  and  by 
way  of  making  the  most  of  me,  hired  me  to  the  then 
clerk  of  the  peace.  Going  one  morning  to  the  office, 
my  attention  was  attracted  by  some  birds'  nests  in 
the  elm-trees.  I  soon  climbed  up  and  made  myself 
master  of  the  eggs,  which  I  placed  in  my  mouth 
and  began  to  descend;  but  a  bough  gave  way,  and 
I  fell  on  some  spiked  palings  below,  which  pressed 
hard  into  my  loins,  and  I  was  suspended  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  till  the  agony  I  endured  was  so  great, 
that  by  a  violent  effort  I  threw  myself  off  the  pales 
upon  the  ground,  where  I  lay  for  half  an  hour  un- 
able to  move. 

While  engaged  in  the  office  of  Mr.  P ,  I  was 

sent  all  kinds  of  errands,  many  of  which  were  to  the 

shop  of  Mr.  M ,  stationer  and  wine-merchant. 

It  so  happened  that  at  Christmas,  1785,  my  master 


14  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

failed,  and  in  consequence  I  was  sent  home.  Soon 
after,  a  letter  was  received  by  my  father  from  Mr. 
M ,  stating  that  he  had  before  written  two  let- 
ters to  know  whether  he  would  like  his  little  boy  to 
be  an  errand-boy  in  his  shop,  and  if  so,  to  send  him 
down  to  Maidstone  by  the  first  coach.  This  third 
letter  being  the  first  my  father  had  received,  he  hur- 
ried me  off  in  an  instant,  on  Tuesday,  January  24, 
178G,  and  here  commenced  that  good  fortune  which, 
under  the  direction  of  heaven,  has  followed  me  ever 
since.     But  to  return  to  absolute  accidents. 

In  the  summer  of  1798, 1  was  one  evening  return- 
ing in  a  boat  by  myself  from  "  Gibraltar,"  a  tea- 
drinking  house  on  the  Med  way,  about  a  mile  below 
Maidstone.  I  pushed  the  boat  along  by  means  of 
a  single  oar.  Coming  to  where  the  water  was  deep- 
er, I  put  the  oar  into  the  water  as  before,  leaning 
upon  it  with  all  my  might,  supposing  it  would  be 
sure  to  reach  the  bottom ;  but  here  I  was  terribly 
mistaken,  and  I  plunged  head  foremost  into  fifteen 
feet  water.  Down  I  went,  and  up  I  came  again. 
Down  I  went  again,  and  the  sudden  effect  of  the 
first  plunge  being  a  little  over,  I  began  to  swim  for 
my  life,  and  reached  the  shore  in  safety,  with  only 
the  loss  of  my  hat. 

About  five  years  afterwards,  two  porters  were 
putting  down  a  hogshead  of  wine  into  my  cellar, 
the  steps  of  which  were  exceedingly  steep.  I  de- 
sired them  to  stop  till  I  had  gone  down  to  place 
straw  at  the  bottom  in  case  of  accidents.  "While 
there,  my  leg  being  between  the  two  sides  of  the 
pulley,  and  an  iron  bar  being  close  behind  the  calf 


LIFE    TO    HIS   MARRIAGE.  15 

of  my  leg,  a  voice  called  out,  "  Take  care."  On 
looking  up  I  saw  the  hogshead  of  wine  descending 
with  the  utmost  rapidity,  the  men  having  lost  their 
hold.  Through  the  mercy  of  God  I  extricated  my 
leg  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  and  before  I  had  time 
to  breathe,  the  cask  passed  close  to  my  stomach 
and  tore  its  way  through  the  straw  to  the  floor. 
Had  my  leg  been  in  the  least  entangled,  or  had  I 
been  a  single  moment  later  in  jumping  from  be- 
tween the  pulley,  I  should  have  been  thrown  upon 
my  back,  my  leg  torn  to  pieces,  and  the  weight  of 
the  cask  would  have  stripped  my  face  completely 
off,  from  the  chin  to  the  forehead. 

In  the  same  year,  riding  in  a  gig  from  "Worces- 
ter to  Malvern  Wells,  the  horse  started  at  full  gal- 
lop, overturning  the  chaise,  by  which  I  was  thrown 
out  with  great  velocity,  but  was  preserved  from 
broken  bones  or  severe  bruises.  On  the  15th  of 
November,  1810,  at  Kidderminster,  it  being  tre- 
mendously dark,  I  was  walking  in  a  proper  direc- 
tion towards  the  bridge,  as  I  thought,  but  finding 
that  the  toe  of  my  foot  did  not  rest  firmly  on  the 
ground,  I  bent  forward  to  examine  more  closely  into 
my  situation,  when  I  found  that  I  had  got  to  the 
very  farthest  edge  of  a  dipping-place  in  the  side  of 
the  river,  which  at  that  time  was  swollen  to  the 
edge  of  the  bank,  from  the  quantity  of  rain  that 
had  lately  fallen.  Had  I  stepped  only  six  inches 
further,  I  should  have  been  precipitated  into  a  rapid 
stream,  in  total  darkness,  and  lost  for  ever.  But 
again  that  same  invisible  hand  was  stretched  forth 
to  give  me  renewed  time  for  repentance. 


16  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

On  the  13th  of  March,  1811, 1  went  to  S ,  to 

visit  Mr.  B ,  and  we  drank  so  much  wine,  that 

I  lost  my  recollection,  and  instead  of  returning  into 
the  house,  I  wandered  down  the  hill  amid  the  blaz- 
ing fires  of  the  iron  works,  and  the  frightful  coal- 
pits with  which  that  country  abounds.  I  wandered 
insensibly  till  I  found  myself  rolling  over  and  over 
down  a  precipice  and  was  suddenly  stopped  by 
something.  This  brought  me  to  a  momentary  rec- 
ollection, and  I  was  struck  with  the  most  incon- 
ceivable terror  on  finding  myself  close  to  the  edge 
of  a  deep  canal.  I  lay  motionless  to  survey  the 
danger  and  to  study  my  escape,  and  I  perceived 
that  if  I  had  rolled  over  only  once  more  I  should 
have  been  plunged  into  a  very  deep  place,  where 
the  sides  were  bricked  up  perpendicularly,  and  thus 
my  thirty -sixth  birthday  would  have  commenced 
in  eternity.  I  now  began  to  consider  how  I  should 
reascend  the  sloping  bank,  and  I  had  sense  enough 
left  to  be  aware  that  if  I  offered  to  stand  upon  my 
feet,  I  should  in  all  probability  fall  backwards  into 
the  water.  I  therefore  turned  gently  round,  so  as 
to  get  my  heels  towards  the  canal,  and  b}r  fixing  my 
hands  one  after  the  other  firmly  into  the  ground,  I 
crawled  gently  up  the  steep,  but  more  frightened 
than  ever  I  had  been  in  my  life,  for  I  saw  death  so 
very  close  that  even  the  rolling  of  a  stone  might 
have  brought  on  destruction.  The  night  was  ex- 
ceedingly dark,  and  I  began  to  recollect  that  I  had 
d  the  dangerous  coal-pits  in  safety,  but  if  I 
should  attempt  to  return  I  might  not  be  so  fortu- 
nate.    Next  morning,  on  passing  the  place,  I  felt 


LIFE   TO   HIS   MARRIAGE.  17 

that  nothing  but  an  invisible  hand  had  rescued  me 

from  death.   When  I  arrived  at  Mr.  B 's,  I  found 

that  their  fears  on  my  account  had  been  so  great 
that  they  had  employed  a  vast  number  of  persons 
to  go  among  the  coal-pits,  and  also  to  search  the 
country  round  with  lanterns,  and  had  sat  up  all 
night  with  fearful  apprehensions  that  I  had  fallen 
into  one  of  the  coal-mines,  which  are  left  so  exposed 
that  any  straggling  traveller,  without  being  intoxi- 
cated, might  unwarily  fall  into  them.  Some  are  five 
hundred  feet  deep. 

I  was  so  stung  with  remorse  at  the  grief  which 
had  been  occasioned,  that  I  took  a  hasty  leave  and 
returned  to  Worcester,  with  one  of  my  usual  deter- 
minations never  to  drink  any  wine  again  as  long  as 
I  lived.  But  this  resolution,  like  all  the  others 
which  had  been  formed  in  my  own  strength,  gave 
way  to  the  very  next  temptation  that  assailed  me ; 
and  one  evening,  as  I  was  attempting  to  go  down 
the  wine-vault  stairs,  I  fell  from  top  to  bottom  in- 
stantaneously. The  steps  were  almost  perpendic- 
ular, and  I  pitched  upon  my  head  in  the  midst  of 
three  or  four  dozen  bottles  of  wine,  which  were 
broken  in  all  directions.  But  most  providentially 
my  hat  remained  firm  upon  my  head,  and  none  of 
the  splinters  were  permitted  to  wound  me.  '  I  lay 
some  minutes  after  the  fall  to  consider  whether  I 
was  or  was  not  dreadfully  cut  by  the  glass  bottles; 
and  not  feeling  any  pain  or  any  moisture  from  tlie 
flowing  of  blood,  I  carefully  extricated  myself  and 
regained  the  house.  While  I  review  these  wonder- 
ful escapes,  I  would  most  humbly  bow  before  that 


18  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

almighty  Being  whose  saving  power  i  alone  has 
effected  these  deliverances,  and  whose  long  suffer- 
ing has  preserved  me  to  be  a  monument  of  his 
great  love. 

In  early  life  I  made  several  attempts  to  quit 
this  house,  but  God  overruled  all  my  endeavors. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen,  I  fancied  that  the  situation 
of  a  writer  to  an  attorney  would  suit  my  purpose, 

and  therefore  I  waited  on  Mr.  B of  "Wrotham, 

but  without  success.  I  next  turned  my  attention  to 
the  navy,  and  was  on  the  point  of  engaging  myself 
as  clerk  to  Captain  W of  the  Majestic,  then  fit- 
ting out  as  part  of  the  Channel-fleet,  under  Lord 
Howe.  But  duty  interposed.  I  found  my  mother 
had  been  pacing  the  room  all  night  in  distraction. 
She  wept  bitterly,  and  implored  me  not  to  leave 
her,  for  then  all  her  comfort  would  be  gone.  My 
heart  was  melted,  and  the  command,  "  Honor  thy 
father  and  thy  mother,"  rushed  upon  my  mind.  My 
resolution  was  immediately  changed ;  for  although 
I  was  indifferent  about  religion,  or  rather,  hated  it, 
yet  this  commandment  had  long  been  impressed 
upon  my  mind  so  strongly,  that  I  used  to  take  hold 
of  it  as  a  kind  of  anchor,  and  say  to  myself,  "  If  I 
honor  my  poor  mother,  I  shall  be  sure  to  do  well." 
Thus  I  gave  up  all  my  airy  schemes  of  becoming  a 
purser  of  a  man-of-war,  and  acquiring  wealth  to 
support  my  mother  in  her  old  age.  But  a  gracious 
God  had  appointed  other  means  by  which  I  should 
perform  that  pleasing  duty  till  her  eyes  were  closed 
in  death. 

Soon  after,  an  anxious  affair  had  very  nearly 


LIFE   TO    HIS   MARRIAGE.  19 

determined  my  fate.  My  mind  had  been  so  much 
harassed,  that  in  an  hour  of  phrensy  I  determined 
to  enlist  as  a  soldier.  I  packed  np  a  small  change 
of  linen  in  a  bundle,  and  putting  a  flute  in  my 
pocket,  actually  quitted  the  house  without  taking 
leave  of  any  person,  intending  to  go  to  Gravesentl, 
where  troops  were  embarking  for  India.  Fully  bent 
on  my  mad-brained  scheme,  I  walked  very  rapidly 
till  I  began  to  ascend  Boxley  hill,  when,  becoming 
fatigued,  I  stopped  to  rest.  I  considered  that  I 
was  flying  from  every  prospect  of  doing  well,  and  I 
was  also  deserting  my  poor  mother,  whose  gray 
hairs  would  probably  be  brought  with  sorrow  to 
the  grave.  While  thus  musing,  the  lines,  "Turn 
again,  Whittington,"  rushed  forcibly  on  my  mind, 
and  although  I  thought  it  very  foolish,  yet  I  could 
not  get  rid  of  the  impression.  Blessed  be  God,  I 
did  turn  again,  and  retracing  my  steps,  reached 
home  before  my  absence  had  been  discovered. 
Thus  was  I  again  saved  from  inevitable  ruin. 

.My  restless  spirit,  however,  soon  broke  forth 
again,  and  my  next  effort  was  to  obtain  the  situa- 
tion of  quartermaster  in  the  Fourteenth  regiment 
of  Dragoons.  I  qualified  this  attempt  by  thinking 
that  I  should  be  enabled  to  allow  my  mother  some- 
thing comfortable  out  of  my  pay ;  but  my  designs 
were  frustrated  by  a  new  regulation,  that  the  situa- 
tion should  be  filled  by  old  sergeants  only.  From 
the  respectability  of  my  application,  I  was  almost 
certain  of  being  appointed,  and  some  stress  was  laid 
upon  my  belonging  to  the  Coxheath  troop  of  yeo- 
manry cavalry,  in  which  corps  I  had  acquired  a 


20  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

very  expert  use  of  the  sword,  so  much  so,  that  I 
frequently  officiated  as  fugleman. 

It  appeared  unaccountable  that  I  should  be  so 
restless,  when  I  had  every  thing  comfortable  around 
me  and  was  highly  respected.  My  employer  kept 
a  horse  on  purpose  for  my  use  in  the  cavalry,  of 
which  he  himself  was  also  a  member;  and  so  mas- 
ter and.  servant  frequently  rode  together  through 
the  street  armed  at  all  points.  He  also  felt  pleas- 
ure in  taking  me  with  him  to  the  weekly  concerts, 
where  I  played  principal  flute,  and  sometimes  ex- 
hibited my  talents  in  performing  a  solo.  But  this 
talent  was  mischievous,  as  it  filled  me  with  pride, 
and  also  drew  me  into  evil  company.  Indeed  at 
this  time  I  was  living  in  all  kinds  of  wickedness — a 
deist  in  principle  and  practice.  Yolney's  "Law  of 
Nature"  and  Paine's  "Age  of  Season"  were  my 
favorite  pocket  companions,  and  I  followed  their 
pernicious  precepts  most  faithfully.  I  was  a  truly 
jolly  fellow,  sitting  up  late  at  nights,  either  at  cards 
or  dancing.  I  had  not  then  become  intemperate  in 
drinking,  but  in  every  thing  else  I  was  sensual  and 
devilish. 

At  this  time  I  belonged  to  a  spouting  society, 
and  Ave  became  so  pleased  with  our  own  perform- 
ances, that  it  was  determined  to  fit  up  an  old  ware- 
house as  a  theatre,  where  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  per- 
form the  part  of  Kobin  in  "  No  Song,  No  Supper," 
and  of  Justice  Mittimus  in  "The  Village  Lawyer." 
All  things  being  prepared,  a  representation  was 
announced,  and  tickets  ia  ued  gratis,  which  brought 
a  crowded  audience,  and  we  received  great  applause, 


LIFE    TO   HIS   MARRIAGE.  21 

particularly  the  female  performers,  who  consisted  of 
mantua-makers  and  milliners.  On  this  occasion  I 
began  the  folly  by  strutting  through  the  prologue. 
There  being  a  company  of  comedians  in  the  town, 
performing  at  the  public  theatre,  I  was  tempted  by 
my  own  vanity,  of  which  I  had  a  large  stock,  and 
the  entreaties  of  one  of  the  performers,  for  his  ben- 
efit, to  undertake  the  part  of  Henry  "Woodville,  in 
the  "Wheel  of  Fortune;"  upon  which  occasion  the 
house  was  completely  filled,  and  the  applause  award- 
ed me  induced  me  to  repeat  the  same  folly.  Most 
fortunately  my  theatrical  mania  now  subsided,  but 
not  so  my  disposition  to  wander. 

A  short  time  afterwards  a  new  temptation  as- 
sailed  me,  arising  from  a  correspondence  carried  on 
between  myself  and  the  daughter  of  a  clergyman  at 

E ,  where  my  uncle  resided  as  an  apothecary. 

Nothing  could  serve  my  turn  but  to  become  a  sur- 
geon ;  and  for  this  purpose  I  furnished  myself  with 
a  set  of  instruments,  being  resolved  to  reside  with 
my  uncle,  so  that  I  might  be  constantly  near  tho 
object  of  my  attentions.  I  now  made  sure  of  quit- 
ting a  house  where  I  had  been  fostered  for  eight 
years;  yet  my  attempts  were  again  frustrated  by 
the  lady  herself  giving  me  a  formal  notice  to  retreat, 
and  make  way  for  a  gentleman  who  would  be  nioro 
attentive  than  I  had  latterly  been. 

My  ardor  had  already  been  a  little  damped  from 
the  following  circumstance  :  A  poor  cottager,  resid- 
ing about  two  miles  from  E ,  had,  through  sick- 
ness, been  unable  to  make  his  payments  in  proper 
time;  so  his  only  bed  had  been  taken  from  him  by 


22  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

his  creditors,  and  deposited  for  security  in  a  farm- 
house. His  wife  and  children  had  now  no  other 
place  for  repose  than  a  cold  brick  floor.  I  hap- 
pened at  this  time  to  be  on  a  visit  to  my  uncle,  and 
•the  story  having  reached  my  ears,  and  my  heart 
also,  I  was  on  the  tiptoe  to  render  assistance.  I 
remonstrated  with  the  creditor,  and  obtained  his 
consent  that  the  bed  should  be  restored,  which  gave 
me  so  much  delight,  that  my  feet  were  instantly 
directed  towards  the  farm-house  where  the  bed  was 
deposited.  So  great  was  my  eagerness,  that  I  quite 
overlooked  an  engagement  to  meet  the  lady  at  noon, 
and  instead  of  spending  two  or  three  hours  in  an 
unprofitable  manner,  I  trudged  away  to  be  a  mes- 
senger of  comfort.  The  farmer  had  no  servants  at 
home  to  convey  the  bed  to  the  poor  family ;  there- 
fore, full  of  youthful  ardor,  I  took  it  on  my  back, 
and  after  toiling  with  great  pleasure  upwards  of  a 
mile  and  a  half,  along  a  dirty  road  and  under  a 
pleasant  perspiration,  I  found  the  cottager's  abode. 
It  was  a  miserable  hovel  indeed.  I  did  not  stay  to 
knock,  but  opened  the  door  without  ceremony,  and 
found  a  poor  sickly  woman,  with  two  small  children, 
sitting  before  a  few  embers,  in  a  state  of  wretched- 
ness. The  poor  woman  was  speechless  with  sur- 
prise as  I  dragged  the  bed  through  the  narrow  door- 
way; but  a  grateful  smile  illuminated  her  haggard 
countenance  when  I  told  her  that  tho  creditor  had 
relented,  and  would  not  trouble  her  husband  again. 
Having  endeavored  to  cheer  her  spirits,  I  threw  five 
shillings  into  tho  poor  creature's  lap  and  took  my 
leave,  not  a  little  pleased  with  my  adventure.     I 


LIFE    TO   HIS   MARRIAGE.  23 

now  hastened  to  the  waiting  lady  to  account  for  my 
breach  of  promise.  I  was  so  well  pleased  with  my 
own  conduct  that  I  thought  every  person  would  be 
the  same,  and  particularly  the  lady  in  question; 
but  to  my  great  mortification,  she  did  not  approve 
of  my  having  forfeited  my  word,  even  upon  such  an 
interesting  occasion.  From  that  moment  I  began 
to  cool,  and  at  length  I  received  a  point-blank  dis- 
charge for  neglect — a  happy  discharge  for  me.  The 
new  lover  soon  became  cool  also,  and  left  the  lady 
in  the  lurch ;  but  she  was  afterwards  married  to  a 
respectable  surveyor  in  London.  I  now  gave  up 
all  thoughts  of  physic,  and  returned  once  more  to 
business. 

My  next  attempt  to  quit  the  counter  seemed  to 
promise  a  greater  prospect  of  success  than  any  pre- 
vious effort.  I  had  imbibed  a  strong  desire  to  be- 
come a  clerk  in  the  Bank  of  England.    I  waited  on 

Mr.  B ,  a  director,  and  was  received  with  special 

kindness,  but  gladly  returned  to  the  work  which  I 
had  so  proudly  sneered  at,  for  I  considered  the  sal- 
ary of  £50  to  be  very  inadequate  to  the  security 
required.  This  was  £2,000;  and  though  I  had  no 
relatives  to  help  me,  my  character  stood  so  high  in 

the  estimation  of  Mr.  S of  Maidstone,  that  ho 

nobly  came  forward  as  my  bondsman  for  the  whole 
amount.  I  returned  to  my  old  quarters  with  a  new 
resolution  to  be  contented ;  and  when  my  employer 
inquired  if  I  was  going  to  the  Bank  of  England,  I 
replied  that  "  I  had  been  to  London  to  find  out  that 
I  was  better  off  in  the  country." 

I  went  on  in  a  most  dangerous  course  for  the 


24  JOHN   VINE   HALL 

next  seven  years,  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before 
my  eyes,  and  spending  the  Sunday  with  other  riot- 
ous young  men  who,  like  myself,  with  good  charac- 
ters for  integrity,  were  in  the  constant  practice  of 
immoralit}^.  Frequently  I  did  not  enter  a  place  of 
worship  for  months.  Instead  of  looking  into  any 
religious  book  on  Sunday,  I  amused  myself  with 
Paine's  "Age  of  Reason,"  or  Macleod's  "Answer  to 
the  Apology  for  the  Bible."  I  felt  great  pleasure 
in  these  dreadful  publications,  therefore  treated  the 
Bible  as  a  "cunningly  devised  fable."  I  not  only 
read  these  books  myself,  but  preached  them  to 
others.  Oh  what  an  astonishing  wonder  that  a  holy 
God  did  not  consign  me  to  perdition ! 

During  all  these  seven  years  I  was  a  member  of 
the  Coxheath  yeomanry  cavalry,  and  was  not  a  lit- 
tle proud  of  being  a  soldier.  I  took  great  pains  in 
being  well  versed  in  the  use  of  the  sword ;  and  hav- 
ing cherished  Lord  Chesterfield's  maxim,  that  "if 
it  is  worth  while  to  do  any  thing,  it  is  worth  while 
to  do  it  as  it  should  be,"  I  was  punctual  in  my 
attention  to  duty  and  cleanliness,  and  was  often 
complimented  on  being  one  of  the  best  soldiers  in 
the  troop. 

I  was  very  regular  at  the  business  all  the  day, 
so  that  my  employer  left  it  entirely  to  my  care; 
but  my  evenings  were  always  spent  in  the  company 
of  careless  young  men  like  myself.  If  we  some- 
times went  to  church,  it  was  more  to  see  and  be 
seen  than  from  any  sense  of  religious  duty.  I  well 
remember  it  once  came  into  my  head  while  at 
church,  that  I  would  endeavor  to  suppose  myself  id 


LIFE   TO   HIS  MARRIAGE.  25 

the  immediate  presence  of  God,  and  try  to  worship 
him  for  once  in  sincerity,  just  to  see  how  I  should 
feel.  I  shu*  my  eyes  and  went  through  part  of  the 
Litany  in  this  manner,  fancying  that  God  stood  be- 
fore my  face.  It  was  too  much  for  me;  I  could  not 
endure  it.  The  thought  of  being  holy  and  giving 
up  my  reigning  lusts,  or  sink  into  hell,  operated  so 
powerfully  upon  my  imagination,  that  I  opened  my 
eyes  to  get  rid  of  the  impression,  and  resolved  never 
to  try  the  same  scheme  again,  but  to  go  on  as  care- 
lessly as  before.  Thus  I  completely  turned  my  back 
on  this  ray  of  conviction. 

I  was  blessed  with  a  disposition  to  do  good  to 
any  person  in  distress,  and  also  to  forgive  any  one 
who  had  offended  me.  Indeed  I  was  all  on  fire  to 
do  anybody  service,  no  matter  who.  I  thought  that 
thus  I  should  rub  out  bad  practices,  and  make  a 
kind  of  balance  between  good  and  evil.  I  totally 
discarded  the  idea  that  a  merciful  God  would  ever 
punish  the  frailties  of  human  nature.  Oh  the  de- 
ceitfulness  of  the  heart !  ' 

Thus  I  murdered  away  seven  years  of  my  time 
in  all  manner  of  sin,  and  yet  preserved  a  fair  char- 
acter with  the  people  of  the  world.     Sitting  one 

evening  chatting  with  Mr.  P ,  a  wine-merchant, 

he  unexpectedly  said  to  me,  "I  wish  you  would 
come  and  live  with  me  as  my  clerk,"  and  named  his 
salary,  which  was  more  than  I  had  ever  received 
I  now  proposed  to  quit  the  scene  of  my  boyish  days , 
and  although  I  had  many  times  before  endeavored 
to  change  my  situation,  yet  now  that  I  was  on  the 
point  of  doing  so,  my  feelings  were  so  much  excited 

J. .!.n  Vim  Hall,  2 


2G  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

that  I  was  very  unwell  for  several  days.  But  the 
pleasing  hope  of  being  enabled  to  render  more 
assistance  to  my  impoverished  mother  operated  as 
a  powerful  stimulus;  and  following  the  impulse  oi 
nature,  aided  by  a  sense  of  duty,  I  tore  myself  away 
from  the  place  in  which  I  had  remained  from  twelve 
•a  of  ago  until  I  had  nearly  completed  my  twenty- 
seventh  year. 

Now  commenced  a  course  of  life  worse  than  ever. 
Public-houses  of  all  descriptions  were  to  be  visited 
for  my  new  employer  at  all  hours,  and  where  all 
sorts  of  vile  and  low  company  resorted.  I  blushed 
and  shuddered  at  first;  but  the  recollection  that  this 
was  now  my  path  of  duty  soon  reconciled  me.  And 
yet  I  did  not  think  so  much  of  the  evil  connected 
with  my  situation  as  I  did  of  my  wounded  pride  in 
being  obliged  to  enter  the  lowest  kind  of  gin-shops 
to  ask  for  orders.  To  commit  sin  in  a  cleanly  man- 
ner was  not  in  the  least  unpleasant  to  my  feelings; 
but  to  be  seen  doing  a  dirty  action  was  rather  more 
than  my  pride  could  endure.  But  Oh  what  filthi- 
ness  did  I  wallow  in  when  the  shades  of  night  pre- 
vented the  deeds  of  darkness  being  witnessed  by  my 
fellow-sinners.  Had  not  the  Almighty  God  prom- 
ised to  turn  the  scarlet  into  snow  and  the  crimson 
into  wool,  the  very  remembrance  of  the  depravity 
in  which  I  then  encouraged  myself  would  annihilate 
•  •y^'ij  hope  of  mercy.  But,  blessed  be  His  name, 
with  him  there  is  plenteous  redemption. 

I  was  a  deist  in  principle  and  in  practice.  Card- 
playing  and  singing  foolish  songs  were  often  my 
Sunday  amusement.    I  was  so  desperately  hardened 


LIFE   TO   III8    MABB1AGE.   .  27 

that  I  could  scarcely  utter  a  sentence  without  mak- 
ing use  of  some  blasphemous  expression;  but  I  was 
never  known  to  tell  a  lie.  This  was  a  mean 
which  I  abhorred,  and  therefore  I  was  always  hon- 
ored with  the  title  of  an  honest  fellow,  although  at 
all  times  ready  to  join  in  revelry  and  dissipation. 
Little  did  I  think  that  I  should  ever  be  brought  to 
feel  a  burning  and  sincere  affection  towards  that 
God  whose  written  word  I  so  lightly  esteemed,  and 
whose  commands,  except  "Honor  thy  father  and 
thy  mother,"  my  conduct  openly  defied.  Yet  I  dare 
not  say  that  conscience  did  not  often  accuse  me, 
but  my  love  of  sin  stopped  my  ears,  so  that  T  would 
not  hear. 

My  daring  and  open  avowal  of  infidelity  reached 
the  ears  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cole,  curate  of  Maidstone 
at  that  time,  1802,  and  he  requested  me  to  read 
Porteus'  "Evidences  of  Christianity.'  I  was  quite 
indifferent  about  the  subject;  but  Mr.  Cole  entreat- 
ed me  with  so  much  good-nature,  that  I  deter- 
mined to  read  the  book  merely  from  complaisance. 
Through  the  infinite  mercy  of  God,  my  eyes  began 
to  see  what  they  had  never  seen  before.  I  found 
that  I  had  been  led  away  by  sophistry.  I  com- 
menced reading  Porteus  a  second  time,  and  became 
so  fully  convinced  of  the  fallacy  of  Paine's  "Age  of 
Reason,"  that  I  took  that  infamous  book  from  off 
the  shelf  and  stamped  upon  it,  denouncing  the 
author  as  a  liar.  I  then  threw  it  into  the  fire,  say- 
ing, "  Go  to  the  flames  with  you,  Tom  Paine ;  you've 
deceived  me  long  enough ;  you  shall  do  so  no  lon- 
ger."    One  would  naturally  have  thought  that  a 


■23  JOnN   VINE   HALL. 

conviction  so  strong  as  this  was  would  have  pro- 
duced some  alteration  in  my  conduct,  but  this  was 
reserved  for  a  future  day. 

My  situation  as.  a  wine-merchant's  clerk  de- 
manded that  I  should  bo  continually  in  company 
with  persons  who  could  drink  and  sing,  and  my 
inclinations  were  in  unison  with  these  circumstan- 
ces, although  I  never,  at  that  time,  indulged  in  pri- 
vate drinking ;  but  the  vivacity  of  my  nature  mado 
me  the  life  and  soul  of  a  company.  I  went  on  in  a 
continual  round  of  gayety  till  the  latter  end  of  the 
year  1803,  when  a  gracious  God  opened  a  way  for 
my  escape. 

On  Saturday  morning,  September  2-1,  1803,  I 
was  very  much  distressed  on  account  of  my  dread- 
fully irregular  and  wicked  conduct,  and  finding  my- 
self unfit  for  business,  I  determined  to  take  a  ride. 
Without  having  any  fixed  course  in  view,  I  suffered 
my  horse  to  turn  whichever  way  he  phased.  Ho 
took  the  road  to  Ashford,  and  as  I  rode  along  I  was 
led  to  reflect  on  the  dreadful  consequences  which 
would  ensue  if  I  should  be  cut  off  while  pursuing 
such  a  wicked  course.  The  more  I  thought  of  this, 
the  more  deeply  was  my  mind  impressed  with  tho 
danger  which  surrounded  me;  and  yet  it  seemed 
almost  impossible  to  escape.  As  I  passed  up  a 
narrow  lane  between  Harrietsham  and  Charing- 
heath,  my  feelings  so  overpowered  me  that  the  tears 
began  to  flow,  and  I  cried  out  in  an  agony  of  dis- 
tress, that  if  God  would  but  open  a  door  for  my 
escape,  I  would  willingly  give  up  my  situation,  how- 
ever enviable  it  might  appear  to  some,  and  would 


LIFE    TO    HIS    MARRIAGE.  29 

be  content  to  dig  in  a  hop-garden,  so  that  I  might 
be  rescued  from  such  a  dreadful  state  of  wickedness. 
I  believe  I  prayed  with  sincerity,  and  I  well  remem- 
ber that  I  looked  very  sharp  around  me  to  see  if 
any  person  had  observed  my  conduct,  for  I  felt  half 
ashamed,  although  I  was  in  hopes  that  I  had  not 
acted  the  hypocrite.  When  I  reached  the  "  Ked 
Lion,"  the  landlord  said,  "Mr.  Hall,  here  is  a  news- 
paper, just  brought  by  the  postman,  and  perhaps 
you  would  like  to  read  it  while  your  breakfast  is 
preparing."  The  very  first  thing  that  struck  my 
attention  was  this  advertisement :  "  An  eligible  op- 
portunity offers,  in  one  of  the  genteelest  cities  in 
England,  for  any  industrious  young  man  with  a 
small  capital,  to  take  an  old  established  business  in 
the  bookselling  and  stationery  trade.  For  particu- 
lars, apply,  etc." 

I  was  struck  with  astonishment,  because  it  ap- 
peared as  if  God  had  answered  my  prayer  in  the 
most  extraordinary  manner;  for  if  I  had  not  stopped 
at  this  very  public-house,  I  should  never  have  seen 
the  newspaper,  and  if  I  had  been  a  few  minutes 
sooner  or  later,  the  paper  would  most  likely  not 
have  arrived  or  have  been  sent  out  of  the  house.  I 
felt  an  awful  responsibility  to  answer  the  advert  i  s;- 
ment  immediately.  The  situation  was  in  the  city 
of  Worcester,  to  which  place  I  repaired  on  the  5th 
December,  1803,  and  entered  into  such  negotiations 
as  led  me  to  settle  in  that  city  on  the  25th  Febru- 
ary, 1804. 

From  this  important  circumstance  arose  all  the 
happiness  which  has  since  followed  me,  and  which 


30  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

promises  to  end  in  my  eternal  felicity.  Yet  on  the 
conclusion  of  this  very  journey,  and  after  I  Lad 
despatched  this  letter  of  inquiry,  I  became  so  intem- 
perate that  I  rode  my  horse  at  full  speed  into  Maid- 
stone, and  was  thrown  over  his  head  upon  the  pave- 
ment, and  picked  up  in  a  state  of  completo  insensi- 
bility, but  without  any  marks  or  outward  appear- 
ance of  bruises,  although  the  horse  was  standing 
over  me,  with  one  of  his  feet  close  up  to  my  stom- 
ach. Surely  if  God  had  not  been  slow  to  anger,  he 
would  have  cut  me  down  for  this  daring  rebellion. 

When  I  quitted  Maidstone  I  felt  like  Jacob  when 
he  passed  over  Jordan  with  nothing  more  than  his 
staff.  I  passed  over  the  Mcdway  with  no  more 
than  five  pounds  in  the  world,  except  my  clothes; 
and  in  addition  to  this  I  had  my  poor  mother  to 
support.  I  went  to  Worcester  quite  unconscious  of 
any  work  of  grace  having  been  begun  in  my  soul; 
but  I  was  tired  of  what  I  now  knew  to  be  a  sinful 
life,  and  therefore  determined  to  reform  and  live  a 
life  of  sound  morality. 

My  character  stood  very  fair,  notwithstanding 
all  my  levity  of  conduct,  and  upon  my  character 
alone  I  borrowed  £300.  The  house  I  had  taken 
was  well  situated  for  trade,  being  in  the  High-street, 
but  the  business  had  been  ruined  by  the  idleness 
and  extravagance  of  the  two  former  tenants.  I  de- 
termined to  be  an  example  of  industry,  as  well  as  to 
deserve  the  good  opinion  of  those  who  had  entrust- 
ed me  with  their  property.  I  arose  early  and  went 
to  bed  early,  and  constantly  studied  Franklin's 
"Way   to   Get   Wealth."     My   conduct  was   soon 


LIFE    TO    HIS   MARRIAGE.  31 

noticed  by  the  citizens,  and  new  customers  came 
daily  to  encourage  my  exertions.  I  broke  off  in- 
stantly from  old  habits  of  drinking  wine,  although 
my  mother,  who  kept  my  house,  frequently  request- 
ed me  to  take  a  glass  or  two,  as  she  was  fearful 
that  the  sudden  change  might  injure  my  health. 
Still  I  persevered  in  sobriety,  and  was  blessed  with 
abundance  of  health  and  strength. 

On  Sunday  evening,  25th  March,  1804,  an  even- 
ing never  to  be  forgotten  by  me,  I  was  strolling 
along  the  High-street,  when  a  gentleman  accosted 
me  by  saying,  "  What  are  you  going  to  do  this 
evening?"  I  replied  that,  being  a  total  stranger  in 
"Worcester,  I  was  merely  sauntering  about  the  city. 
"  Come  along  with  me,"  said  he,  "  and  I  will  take 
you  to  hear  a  funeral  sermon."  I  accompanied 
him,  and  was  so  much  pleased  with  the  good  lan- 
guage of  the  preacher,  the  Rev.  George  Osborn, 
that  I  made  up  my  mind  to  attend  regularly,  and 
accordingly  applied  for  a  seat.  My  mother  also 
attended  with  me.  Being  lame,  she  always  walked 
to  chapel  leaning  on  my  arm,  and  my  heart  was 
gladdened  by  the  opportunity  of  becoming  her  stay 
and  support. 

The  second  Sunday  of  our  attendance  I  was 
particularly  struck  with  the  serious  deportment  of 
a  young  lady  who  sat  opposite  to  myself.  When 
my  eyes  were  not  fixed  on  the  preacher  they  came 
in  contact  with  hers.  I  found  that,  similarly  to 
myself,  this  young  person  was  accompanied  by  an 
elderly  lady,  who  appeared  *to  be  her  mother ;  and 
the  thought  struck  me  that  she  might  bo  a  widow 


32  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

blessed  with  a  dutiful  daughter.  This  thought  was 
too  much  in  unison  with  the  vivacity  of  my  imag- 
ination to  die  away.  I  watched  them  out  of  tlio 
chapel,  the  elderly  lady  leaning  on  the  arm  of  the 
younger;  but  as  they  were  utter  strangers,  I  had 
to  wait  the  tedious  approach  of  another  Sabbath, 
when  the  same  scene  was  renewed,  and  my  hopes 
and  fears  were  again  excited. 

I  now  made  up  my  mind  that  if  this  young  lady 
should  prove  to  be  a  person  of  good  character,  I 
would  make  an  attempt  to  gain  her  affections,  and 
trust  to  Providence  for  the  result.  But  I  knew 
neither  her  name  nor  residence.  On  Sunday,  20th 
May,  I  watched  her  return  from  worship,  and  found 
that  she  took  the  road  which  led  across  the  bridge 
into  the  village  of  St.  John ;  and  knowing  that  she 
could  not  return  to  the  afternoon  service  by  any 
other  path,  I  posted  myself  on  the  bridge  to  await 
the  approach  of  my  interesting  unknown.  She 
came,  and  came  alone.  She  passed  me,  and  I  spoke 
with  my  eyes,  but  my  tongue  was  mute.  I  followed 
gently  behind  her  till  we  approached  the  chapel. 
From  that  time  commenced  an  acquaintance  which 
has  proved  to  be  the  happiest  of  my  life. 

The  next  morning  a  gentleman  surprised  me  by 
asking  how  long  I  had  known  Miss  Teverill.  "Miss 
TeveriU!  Who  is  Miss  Teverill?"  replied  I.  Ho 
answered,  "The  young  lady  with  whom  you  were 
walking  yesterday  afternoon."  This  was  the  very 
thing  I  wanted  to  know;  and  the  questions,  "Who 
is  she?  Where  docs  she  reside  ?"  were  asked  all  in  a 
breath.    The  reply  was  of  such  a  nature  that  I  said 


LIFE    TO    HIS   MAKUIAGE.  33 

mentally,  "Then  she  is  mine,  if  perseverance  can 
gain  her ;"  and  I  immediately  commenced  a  regular 
siege.  I  soon  obtained  a  very  respectable  introduc- 
tion, and  was  admitted  a  visitor  at  the  only  house  1 
thought  of  any  consequence  in  the  county  of  Wor- 
cester. 

Every  thing  went  on  favorably.  Mutual  affec- 
tion ripened  apace;  but  an  enemy  was  lurking  un- 
seen to  poison  all  my  hopes.  Her  father  requested 
me  to  desist;  but  my  affection  was  too  deeply  root- 
ed to  be  extinguished,  and  the  prospect  of  happi- 
ness too  bright  to  be  given  up  for  trifles.  My  char- 
acter  was  unimpeachable  as  to  integrity  and  indus- 
try, and  my  natural  ardor  was  not  to  be  damped  by 
a  few  heavy  clouds.  Her  extreme  youth  was  the 
next  plea.  I  agreed  to  wait,  but  never  to  give  up. 
I  could  not  do  it;  it  was  against  all  reason,  and 
against  my  nature,  and  therefore  I  stood  as  firm  as 
Ajax.  Opposition  only  strengthened  our  attach- 
ment. 

Five  days  after  this  I  was  electrified  by  receiv- 
ing consent  to  renew  my  visits.  I  supped  with  the 
family  on  the  folio  wing  Wednesday  evening.  On 
the  Saturday  following,  only  three  days,  a  friend 
called  on  me,  and  made  me  understand  that  Misa 
Teverill  had  been  hurried  away  from  home  to  a 
friend's  house  about  ten  miles  from  Worcester.  This 
was  on  a  market  day,  when  the  city  was  full  of  peo- 
ple and  my  shop  full  of  customers.  But  I  was  de- 
termined to  follow  her  even  to  the  world's  end.  It 
was  towards  evening,  and  my  road  lay  near  Per- 
shore,  to  which  town  I  directed  my  steps.     Being 

2* 


34  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

on  foot,  I  availed  myself  of  a  butcher's  cart  return- 
ing from  market.  Night  had  now  come  on,  and  as 
the  country  I  had  to  travel  was  very  intricate,  ] 
passed  the  night  at  the  Angel  Inn,  arose  at  three 

o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  set  out  for  S , 

where,  after  innumerable  inquiries,  I  arrived  at  sis 
o'clock.  The  family  had  not  arisen,  l>ut  a  maid- 
servant soon  appeared,  and  I  despatched  her  with 
a  note  to  Miss  Teverill,  to  say  that  I  had  found  her 
retreat.  I  found  she  had  been  forced  away  at  an 
hour's  warning.  This  only  increased  our  attach- 
ment. We  passed  the  day  most  happily  together; 
but  this  happiness  was  soon  to  be  interrupted. 

We  were  walking  in  the  fields  in  the  evening, 
when  suddenly  a  post-chaise  appeared.  We  were 
alarmed,  and  fearing  the  worst,  renewed  our  vows 
of  constancy.  The  chaise  slowly  approached,  con- 
veying Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teverill,  and  I  desired  my 
Mary  not  to  fear,  but  to  take  hold  of  my  arm  and 
advance  boldly.  I  civilly  inquired  after  their  wel- 
fare ;  and  although  I  knew  that  a  storm  would  soon 
break  forth,  yet  I  could  not  help  smiling  at  their 
chagrin  at  finding  that  I  had  been  too  cunning  for 
them.     This  brought  on  a  parley,  and  it  was  finally 

agreed  that  she  should  remain  at  S in  quiet,  if 

I  would  leave  the  house.  I  reasoned  with  Mrs. 
Teverill  on  the  impropriety  of  treating  me  with  so 
much  kindness  on  the  Wednesday,  and  then  forcing 
her  daughter  away  from  me  in  three  days  after- 
wards, without  assigning  any  other  reason  than  that 
she  had  changed  her  mind.  She  was  as  hard  as  a 
flint ;  and  yet  she  afterwards  became  as  fond  of  mo 


LIFE    TO    HIS    MARRIAGE.  35 

as  if  I  had  been  lier  own  son.  During  this  dis- 
course dear  Mary  had  been  ordered  into  another 
apartment,  and  I  was  fearful  that  some  scheme 
might  be  planned  to  take  her  away  without  my 
knowledge;  therefore,  to  prevent  a  surprise  of  this 
kind,  I  quitted  the  room  a  little  abruptly,  and  found 
out  the  post-chaise,  from  which,  unperceived  by  any 
one,  I  took  away  the  pole,  and  deposited  it  in  the 
middle  of  a  large  field.  Having  thus  prevented  the 
return  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teverill,  I  went  again  into 
the  room,  and  told  Mrs.  Teverill  that  I  should  not 
quit  the  house  until  I  had  taken  leave  of  her 
daughter.  I  then  restored  the  pole  of  the  chaise, 
and  agreed  not  to  write  to  Mary,  provided  her 
friends  allowed  her  to  remain  in  quiet  retirement 

at  S . 

I  was  miserably  tormented  by  these  circumstan- 
ces, and  my  mother  having  left  me,  I  had  no  one 
to  converse  with  after  the  business  of  the  day,  and 
having  lost  all  relish  for  reading,  I  began  to  spend 
my  evenings  with  the  citizens  at  the  Porter  Rooms, 
or  "  smoke  shops,"  as  they  were  called.  This  was 
a  bad  resource,  and  bad  it  proved  in  the  end. 
Many  and  many  a  gloomy  night,  when  the  darkness 
might  almost  be  felt,  I  have  stolen  into  the  garden 
around  her  father's  house,  and  waited  among  the 
shrabs  to  catch  a  glance  only  of  her  who  had  such 
complete  possession  of  my  heart.* 

*  The  autobiographcr  goes  on  to  relate  how  the  mental  confliet 
between  love  for  her  fnturc  husband,  whom  she  could  not  resign, 
and  honor  for  her  pan  ids,  whom  she  would  not  disobey,  so  seri- 
ously threatened  Miss  Teverill's  health,  that  lull  consent  to  tho 
marriage  was  at  length  given. 


3G  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

The  long-expected  day  at  length  arrived,  and  on 
Tuesday,  tlie  2Gth  of  August,  180G,  Ave  were  married 
at  St.  Clement's  church,  Worcester. 

Having  narrated  the  way  in  which  it  pleased 
God  to  bestow  on  nie  his  greatest  earthly  blessing, 
I  mast  enter  my  protest  against  the  doctrine  of 
chance.  Chance  did  not  lead  me  to  my  first  situa- 
tion. Chance  did  not  preserve  me  there  through  all 
the  attempts  to  quit  it.  Chance  did  not  lead  me  to 
Worcester;  neither  did  chance  lead  me  to  the  chapel 
to  behold  for  the  first  time  her  who  was  to  become 
the  happiness  of  my  future  life.  Chance  did  not 
give  me  perseverance  in  pursuing  that  object;  nei- 
ther did  chance  bring  it  to  a  happy  termination. 
Chance  did  not  obtain  for  me  my  friends ;  neither 
did  chance  preserve  to  me  that  friendship  when  I 
deserved  to  lose  it.  Chance  did  not  preserve  my 
life  under  the  various  accidents  which  have  befallen 
me;  neither  did  chance  raise  me  to  be  master  in 
that  house  into  which  I  first  entered  as  a  poor  boy. 
Chance  did  not  bring  me  acquainted  with  Dr.  Day, 
who  was  the  instrument  in  the  hand  of  God  to 
relieve  me  in  a  great  measure  from  the  influence  of 
a  dreadful  malady;  neither  did  chance  restore  my 
forfeited  character.  Lastly,  chance  docs  not  give 
me  a  grateful  heart  to  God  for  all  his  mercies;  but 
it  is  God  himself  who  has  done  all  these  thing*  for 
»ne,  to  whom  be  all  the  glory. 


CONFLICT   AND   DEFEAT.  37 


CHAPTER  II. 

CONFLICT  AND  DEFEAT. 
1810  TO  1813-AGE  3G-3D. 

February  2,  1810.  Almighty  God,  kindest  Fa- 
ther of  every  thing,  Oh  look  with  pity,  yet  with  just 
reproach  upon  the  sad  misdeeds  of  thy  humble 
suppliant,  and  when  ho  reads  what  may  be  penned 
in  a  moment  of  reflective  intoxication — sad  idea  ! — 
or  in  actual  inebriet}-,  may  he  be  sensible  of  thy 
goodness  in  not  snatching  him  to  eternity  in  a  mo- 
ment so  unprepared. 

April  16.  My  friend  Mr.  E kindly  opened 

my  eyes.  No  more  smoke  shops  for  me.  John 
Vine  Hall,  be  more  careful  how  you  walk.  You 
have  a  wife  and  children.  Do  you  love,  them  ?  Then 
Oh  forbear.  Would  you  be  a  slave  to  the  worst  of 
tyrants?  Rather  prepare  for  a  glorious  struggle, 
and  persevere  till  you  conquer  this  hideous  mon- 
ster, then  shall  you  be  indeed  a  prince  of  conquer- 
ors. Come,  John  Vine  Hall,  listen  to  me,  your  true 
friend,  Conscience ;  and  if  you  have  ever  done  any 
good  actions,  do  not  erase  them  by  the  indulgence 
of  bad  ones.  I  shall  be  sure  to  accuse  you,  and 
with  great  severity,  if  you  shun  my  admonition : 
but  if  you  will  only  obey  my  warning  voice,  I  will 
surely  promote  your  future  happiness  and  draw  a 
veil  over  the  past.  Rouse  yourself  then,  and  I  will 
assist  you  in  the  battle.     Think  of  the  rich  prize  to 


38  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

be  gained.  Think  of  your  affectionate  wife,  and  let 
this  da}-  be  the  dawn  of  liberty  and  of  glory. 
July  2-1.  Drunkenness — horrible  depravity.* 
Jan.  17,  1811.  Never  suffered  so  much  from  the 
bile  in  my  life  ;  will  never  have  a  repetition  if  I  can 
help  it.  Must  be  careful,  or  die,  and  of  all  events 
that  is  what  I  am  the  least  prepared  for;  but  the. 
time  may  come,  and  I  trust  it  will.  Once  more 
returned  to  a  sense  of  duty,  and  looking  back  with 
the  deepest  regret,  I  trust  that  these  sentiments, 
and  affection  for  my  children  and  too  good  a  wife, 
will  unitedly  prevail. 

March  12.  Walked  to  H ,  where  I  was  most 

hospitably  received.    Mr.  B and  self  drank  out 

two  bottles  of  wine,  and  from  my  being  fatigued,  it 
so  overpowered  me  that,  on  going  out  of  the  house 
after  dark,  I  lost  my  way.     When  I  awoke  next 

*  Maidstone,  Aug.  G,  1833.  On  looking  over  this  journal,  find- 
ing these  blank  leaves.  1  here  record  the  astonishing  mercy  of  <  iod 
towards  so  dreadful  a  sinner  as  I  have  been. 

At  the  time  of  the  entries  made  on  the  preceding  page,  my  busi- 
ness Mas  gone,  health  destroyed,  character  ruined,  a  dear  wife 
miserable.  Oh  what  a  change  do  I  witness  this  morning !  Busi- 
ness flourishing,  health  most  perfect,  my  dear  wife  and  children 
happy,  my  own  character  restored,  and  myself,  through  especial 
grace,  a  deacon  of  the  Independent  chapel.  My  lumsc  a  house  of 
prayer,  my  heart  a  heart  of  prayer  ;  and  twenty  years  have  passed 
away,  during  the  whole  of  which  not  a  drop  of  spirituous  liquor 
has  ever  passed  the  surface  of  my  tongue.  Oh  what  wonder  lias 
the  Lord  wrought! 

March  11,  1815.  Again  looking  into  this  journal  of  my  former 
depravity,  I  record  the  continuing  mercy  of  my  gracious  God. 
rwenty-seven  whole  years  without  ever  once  having  drunk  a  drop 
.-if  spirituous  liquor!  Oh  what  mercy,  that  Jesus  Christ  ever  lives 
in  my  heart  a  million,  million  times  welcome  guest,  the  joy  of  my 
soul,  my  only  hope,  my  confidence  and  trust. 


CONFLICT   AND    DEFEAT.  39 

morning  all  was  strange ;  yet,  as  I  found  myself 
alive  and  well,  it  so  far  satisfied  me.  On  making 
inquiries,  I  found  that  I  was  in  a  public-house,  to 
which  I  had  been  conducted  by  some  man  who  had 
discovered  me  wandering  in  the  dark,  and  who 
feared  that  I  might  fall  into  some  one  of  the  numer- 
ous coal-mines  in  that  romantic  country.    I  walked 

back  to  Mr.  B 's,  and  when  I  saw  the  path  of 

my  night  wandering,  I  hugged  myself  to  find  what 
a  lucky  escape  I  had  experienced  from  either  being- 
drowned  in  the  canal  or  breaking  my  neck  in  a  coal- 
pit. A  strange  frolic,  but  entirely  owing  to  Mr. 
B 's  wine. 

Sunday,  Feb.  2,  1812.  Attended  Pump-street 
Chapel  and  took  sittings.  Mr.  Byron  preached  two 
very  searching  sermons.  No  flattery ;  all  plain  truth, 
and  home  to  the  conscience. 

March  1-6.  Drunkenness — six  days  drunk ;  aw- 
ful ruin ! 

March  14.  My  birthday;  not  only  a  birthday  of 
nature,  but,  O  God,  a  birthday  unto  repentance, 
and  a  forsaking  of  all  sin  according  to  thy  most 
gracious  call  this  very  morning.  Oh  give  me 
strength  to  make  another  effort  to  leave  off  every 
kind  of  sin.  This  morning,  while  busied  in  the 
shop,  and  being  fretted,  the  effect  of  recent  intem- 
perance, I  said  with  petulance,  "  A}re,  aye,  it 's  no 
use  my  endeavoring  to  become  steady.  My  sins 
are  too  great  to  be  forgiven."  The  fretful  thought 
was  stopped  suddenly  by  a  voice  whispering  in  my 
ear,  "  If  thou  wilt  forsake  thy  sins,  they  shall  be 
forgiven  thee."     The  emphasis  upon  forsake  and 


10  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

shall  was  so  strong,  that  I  could  have  fancied  that 
some  person  really  stood  behind  me;  but  it  was  all 
within,  and  I,  who  but  the  very  instant  before  was 
quite  in  a  passion,  was  struck  as  with  a  flash  of 
lightning-,  and  the  tears  ran  down  my  cheeks,  T 
knew  not  why.  The  more  I  tried  to  suppress  them, 
the  more  they  would  flow.  Finding  it  useless  to  go 
on  with  business,  I  went  up  stairs;  but  there  I  got 
uiusc,  and  I  began  to  think,  surely  this  is  the  voice 
of  mercy  once  more  calling  me  to  repentance.  I 
took  up  the  Bible  and  hastily  scanned  my  favorite 
fifty-eighth  chapter  of  Isaiah,  and  this  affected  me 
so  deeply,  that  I  instantly  fell  on  my  knees  and 
poured  out  my  soul  to  God,  and  confessing  my  sins, 
implored  most  fervently,  and  with  heartfelt  sighs 
and  tears,  that  he  would  have  mercy  upon  me.  I 
never  knew — to  my  shame — what  it  was  to  pray 
with  the  heart  till  now.  I  felt  quite  a  new  crea- 
ture, and  thus  I  trust  that  my  birthday  may  become 
a  day  of  earthly  and  eternal  joy. 

Sunday,  March  15.  Renewed  my  confessions  of 
sin,  and  prayed  most  fervently  for  mercy,  and  for 
the  first  time — Oh  shame! — since  I  have  been  in 
"Worcester,  commenced  family  prayer.  What  a  sad, 
abominable  life  I  have  led,  even  while  surrounded 
by  every  blessing.  Oh  gracious  Lord,  make  me 
truly  penitent,  and  preserve  me  to  be  a  striking 
monument  of  thy  redeeming  mercy.  In  the  after- 
noon we  had  a  church  of  our  own  at  home.  At 
night  Ave  attended  chapel  again,  and  after  supper 
we  had  family  prayer.     Thank  God  for  it. 

March  18.  Farewell,  a  long  farewell  to  thee,  my 


CONFLICT   AND    DEFEAT.  41 

poor  and  long  afflicted  mother.  Thou  art  gone  to 
rejoice  for  ever  in  the  presence  of  Jesus,  whom  thou 
hast  long  served  with  faith  and  patience  under  afflic- 
tions of  the  most  excruciating  nature  for  more  than 
twenty  years.  Oh  may  thy  God  become  my  God, 
so  that  I  may  meet  thee  in  those  happy  realms. 
My  dear  mother  departed  this  life  this  evening, 
under  great  bodily  pain.  She  died  praying  two 
hours  for  me,  her  prodigal  son.  Her  latest  bi'cath 
was  for  me,  in  earnest  cry,  "The  Lord  bless  him — 
the  Lord  bless  him — the  Lord  bless  him  ;"  and  so 
she  entered  heaven.  God  of  all  mercies,  I  thank 
thee  for  thy  goodness  in  raising  me  up  to  support, 
for  so  many  years,  a  virtuous  and  afflicted  parent, 
and  didst  make  it  my  happiness  to  contribute  to  all 
her  earthly  wants.*  I  deeply  lament  my  total  un- 
worthiness  of  thy  favor ;  but  Oh,  have  mercy  upon 
me,  and  turn  my  heart  from  all  evil. 

March  24.    Mr.  C took  me  to  a  Methodist 

class-meeting. 

March  28.  Rather  low  in  spirits,  thinking  I  could 
not  consistently  receive  the  sacrament  to-morrow. 
I  prayed  fervently  several  times  in  the  day,  and 
kept  a  strict  watch  over  every  thought,  determined 
to  resist  every  temptation  to  evil. 

Easter-day.  The  feast  of  the  Lamb  of  God.  Oh 
what  a  feast !  Chapel  at  seven  o'clock ;  again  at 
half-past  ten.  In  the  afternoon  upwards  of  four 
hundred  sinners  knelt  before  the  Lo*d  at  his  table. 
Realized  the  presence  of  Jesus  Christ  granting  a 
free  pardon  and  an  assurance  of  protection  if  we 
*  His  mother  used  to  call  him  her  "Joseph  in  Egypt." 


42  JOHN    VINT.    HALL. 

persevere  in  forsaking  onr  evil  Mays.  My  heart 
beat  high  in  rapture  when  I  took  the  seal  of  the 
covenant;  and  as  a  sick  man  takes  from  the  hand 
of  his  physician  the  long  wished  for  medicine  that 
shall  euro  the  raging  disorder  in  liis  body,  so  did  J, 
with  grateful  tears,  drink  of  that  blessed  cup  which 
was,  through  faith,  to  heal  the  disorder  of  a  long 
distempered  soul. 

March  31.  I  went  to  the  class  this  evening. 
Such  meetings  are  of  great  advantage  to  those  who 
are  seeking  the  Lord  Jesus.  Private  prayer  is  a 
blessing  indeed.  Even  my  dreams  are  dreams  of 
prayer  and  happiness  in  religion.  I  this  morning 
made  my  first  essay  to  pray  with  the  family  with- 
out a  book. 

Sunday  mokning,  April  o.  Again  I  put  up  our 
petitions  from  my  heart  without  the  aid  of  a  book. 
Oh  may  God  make  me  as  bold  as  St.  Paul  in  the 
gospel.  What  an  honor  it  would  be  if  I  should  ever 
be  allowed  to  become  a  champion  in  the  cause  of 
Christianity,  and  to  be  the  instrument  of  bringing 
souls  to  God.  Oh  that  He  would  give  me  a  bold- 
ness of  speech  to  declare  to  many  thousands  that 
"his  mercy  endureth  for  ever."  Indeed  his  mercy 
does  endure  for  ever,  or  my  soul  would  have  been 
cut  off  and  destroyed  many,  many  years  ago. 

April  17.  Mr.  B induced  me  to  become  a 

trustee  to  the  new  chapel,  and  I  also  entered  my 
name  to  lend  <£50  towards  the  building. 

April  24.  I,  even  myself,  made  another  effort  in 
public  to  show  forth  the  goodness  of  God.  I  be- 
lieve that  my  prayer  aroused  the  gratitude  of  many 


CONFLICT   AND    DEFEAT.  43 

a  heart  in  supplications  for  a  continuance  of  mercy 
to  me.  "Wonderful  indeed  that  my  sentiments  should 
have  been  so  completely  changed  as  to  enable  me 
in  six  weeks  to  come  boldly  forward  and  declare 
in  publis  prayer  before  the  people  the  great  and 
mighty  things  which  God,  through  my  firm  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ,  had  done  for  me.  0  God  of  all  mercy, 
continue  thy  work,  and  make  a  repentant  prodigal 
useful  to  all  people  by  declaring  thy  goodness  in  his 
life  and  conversation.  Oh  may  he  ever  be  upon  the 
watch  to  resist  temptation. 

Apeil  30.    P and  T drank  tea  with  us. 

We  boldly  declared  ourselves  Methodists.  Yes, 
poor  despised  Methodists.  I  felt  glad  to  show  forth 
to  my  gay  companions  the  change  which  religion 
had  effected.  This  day  I  received  a  ticket  of  admis- 
sion into  the  Society  of  Methodists.    A  great  honor. 

May  6.  Mr.  C- ■  and  Mr.  E ,  old  compan- 
ions from  Maidstone,  called  on  me.     I  stopped  Mr. 

K in  his  swearing,  and  rather  surprised  them 

both  by  a  serious  conversation.  This  evening, 
being  at  the  prayer-meeting,  I  gave  the  people  an 
exhortation  to  watch  and  pray. 

May  18.  I  am  suddenly  fixed  into  four  offices  for 
the  church  of  God :  trustee,  treasurer,  committee- 
man, and  prayer-man.  See  what  the  Almighty  can 
perform  in  a  short  time.  A  sinner  snatched  from 
the  very  centre  of  hell,  and  made  an  instrument  of 
public  service  in  the  house  of  God  in  a  very  few 
days.     What  a  miracle,  even  in  this  our  day. 

May  19.  I  was  so  happ}r  in  prayer  this  morning 
that  I  could  hardly  contain  myself. 


41  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

May  21.  At  our  class  I  expounded,  and  was 
blessed  -with  a  lively  affection  towards  my  hearers, 
and  with  gratitude  for  such  a  precious  privilege. 
Oh  my  Saviour,  though  my  sins  have  exceeded 
y  thought,  3'et  thy  mercy  is  greater  still.  I  am 
Indeed  a  brand  plucked  from  the  burning,  and  Oh 
may  I  ever  live  to  praise  and  glorify  thy  holy 
name. 

May  28.  Class-meeting.  Oh  what  delight  to 
have  a  spiritual  appetite !  Our  gracious  Lord  fur- 
nishes the  table  with  a  delicious  repast,  "  without 
money  and  without  price."  Now  this  .is  very  con- 
trary to  the  way  of  the  devil,  for  his  dishes  are 
charged  at  a  very  high  price  indeed,  and  they  turn 
sour  into  the  bargain ;  but  he  is  too  cunning  to 
suffer  his  guests  to  se'e  what  kind  of  food  he  has 
been  cramming  down  their  throats ;  he  cruelly 
gives  fresh  poison  to  his  already  infatuated  vic- 
tims, and  then  lulls  them  to  sleep  in  his  infernal 
end  trace. 

May  30.  Eleven  weeks  I  have  been  preserved  in 
the  battle,  and  I  trust  in  the  assistance  of  my  new 
Master  for  strength  sufficient  to  drive  that  old  drag- 
on completely  off  the  field.  I  know  that  he  will 
keep  continually  skulking  and  prowling  about  the 
camp,  but  I  hope  to  be  guarded  at  every  avenue, 
but  not  in  my  own  strength. 

June  10.  I  was  in  such  a  state  of  serenity  that 
I  could  not  even  fancy  a  doubt  or  a  fear.  As  if  a 
person  approached  me  on  my  left  hand  with  a  de- 
mand for  a  debt,  while  in  my  right  hand  I  held  the 
means  of  paying  it,  and  therefore  no  trouble  could 


CONFLICT   AND   DEFEAT.  45 

arise  on  that  account.  So  I  trusted  would  be  the 
case  in  any  new  trial.  Yet  boast  not  thyself,  O 
young  man,  but  rejoice  with  trembling  and  be  hum- 
ble before  thy  God.  Some  of  my  old  gay  compan- 
ions would  think  me  a  madman,  but  God  knows  my 
heart  and  kills  the  fatted  calf  for  his  prodigal  son, 
now  brought  back  from  feeding  swine  and  wallow- 
ing i?i  filth  and  mire. 

June  16.  We  had  a  prayer-meeting,  and  were  all 
on  fire ;  perhaps  enthusiasts,  says  the  world.  No 
matter.  Godly  enthusiasts  are  preferable  to  devil- 
ish wise  men. 

June  30.  Half  mad  at  having  been  quite  off  my 
guard,  and  by  this  means  failing  from  a  tremendous 
height  into  a  most  dreadful  ambush  of  the  enemy. 
Oh,  how  mournful  for  the  saints  and  those  who  love 
God.  Soaring  too  high  without  the  wings  of  humil- 
ity, I  fell  into  the  horrible  pit  of  intemperance,  while 
Satan  hugged  me  again  with  his  infernal  arms. 
Horrible  indeed  !  I  could  have  shed  rivers  of  tears. 
God  have  mercy  upon  me.  There  is  not  a  greater 
sinner  in  existence. 

July  G.  Quarterly  meeting.  The  brethren  were 
all  glad  to  see  me  among  them  again,  although  so 
unworthy.  How  brotherly  is  this  regard  for  the 
welfare  of  each  other's  souls.  I  do  not  believe  there 
is  such  another  society  in  the  world  as  the  Metho- 
dists for  the  exercise  of  brotherly  sympathy.  Oh 
that  I  had  not  grieved  them  !  Oh  what  sorrow  docs 
sin  introduce;  and  when  Satan  gets  his  victims 
down,  how  cruelly  he  presses  upon  them.  But  the 
blood  of  Christ  can  overcome  a  thousand  Satans. 


46  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

The  time  will  come — but  Stay  in  quiet,  and  trust  in 
the  mercies  of  the  everlasting  God. 

July  29-31.  Fighting  most  desperately  night 
and  day,  by  prayer,  repentance,  and  abstinence — 

not  having  had  any  sleep  for  three  nights — and 
have  entreated  with  bitter  tears  that  the  Almighty 
would  restore  me.  Oh  what  a  hell  does  the  soul 
feel  that  has  once  enjoyed  the  love  of  God  and  has 
lost  it  again  by  giving  way  to  temptation.  What 
punishment  so  great  as  an  accusing  conscience  for 
having  offended  the  best  of  Fathers.  But  the 
mercy  of  God  is,  like  himself,  infinite. 

Aug.  1.  Still  in  misery.  Under  a  dreadful  cloud. 
Satan,  Satan,  loose  my  bonds.  Constant  prayer  and 
the  firmest  reliance  on  the  blood  of  Jesus  will  surely 
prevail ;  yet  how  long  must  I  wait  for  the  sweet  re- 
turn of  grace  V 

Aug.  13.  Only  eight  persons  at  class.  It  is  the 
race-week,  but  I  hope  that  none  of  our  people  were 
present  at  the  race-course. 

FiACE-week.  Dissipation.  A  drawing  back  from 
God. 

Sept.  9.  Worcester  music -meeting.  Bustle, 
dress,  singing,  and  dancing,  and  some  pleased,  and 
some  otherwise.  Poor  Christian  !  Vanity  fan-  after 
all. 

Sept.  13.  A  blessed  relief  from  all  the  uoise  and 
confusion  of  the  week.  Find  myself,  by  the  sole 
support  of  my  Saviour,  quietly  rising  out  of  the 
slough  of  sin;  but  I  am  almost  afraid  to  open  my 
lips  to  any  one,  and  I  go  about  the  house  as  quiet 
as  a  mouse. 


CONFLICT   AND    DEFEAT.  47 

Sept.  21.  Persons  newly  awakened  are  too  apt 
to  talk  at  a  great  rate,  and  then  stumble.  I  hopo 
my  experience  of  the  hellish  anguish  which  accom- 
panies drawing  back  from  God  will  ever  keep  mo 
humble. 

Oct.  5.  Worcester  election.  I  intend  quietly  to 
perform  my  promise,  and  then  stay  within  doors. 

Oct.  17.  Every  thing  out  of  sorts  all  the  week, 
and  a  dreadful  state  of  unsteadiness.  Endeavoring 
to  repent  and  pray.  It  is  hard  work,  yet  I  am 
determined  not  to  yield.  What,  shall  I,  who  have 
experienced  much  of  the  love  of  God,  yield  to  the 
devil?  No.  God  and  Christ  forbid.  Try  again, 
try  again. 

Oct.  22.  The  bile.  Never  had  it  so  bad  in  my 
life.  What  a  mercy !  I  hope  it  will  stimulate  me 
to  repentance.  My  poor  Mary  is  incessantly  kind, 
though  she  is  very  unwell  through  my  misconduct. 
What  a  contrast,  and  how  despicable  does  it  make 
me  appear ;  but  I  do  hope  that  even  yet  I  shall  not 
only  return  unto  the  blessed  Jesus,  but  unto  my 
Mary  also.  Oh  that  my  Saviour  would  draw  me  so 
close  to  him  that  I  could  never  depart  again. 

Oct.  23.  Yery  bad  still  with  the  bile,  and  worse 
with  the  deepest  compunction. 

Oct.  28.  Oh  how  hard  is  the  struggle,  and  what 
constant  watchfulness  and  prayer  does  it  require  to 
enable  a  sinner  to  stand  his  ground  even  for  a  mo- 
ment. I  thank  God  that  I  do  depend  upon  him, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  with  lively  faith. 

Sunday,  Nov.  1.  Oh  that  I  could  repent  deeper 
and  deeper  and  incessantly  for  all  my  past  dread- 


48  JOHN   VINE    IIALL. 

fal  sins.  The  Lord's  supper  was  administered  this 
evening,  but  I  retired;  not  that  I  doubted  the 
mercy  and  pardon  of  God,  but  I  had  not  been  able 

to  forgive  myself,  and  therefore  came  home,  and  in 
private  prayer  implored  the  mercy  and  support  of 
the  blessed  Saviour. 

Dec.  13.  Oh  that  Christ  would  warm  my  heart. 
I  want  more  power  to  resist  temptation,  but  thanks 
be  to  God  that  I  am  what  I  am. 

Dec.  30.  The  bile  and  hell.  Oh  that  God  would 
blot  out  the  last  week  from  the  sad  catalogue  of  my 
sins,  and  give  me  grace  that  I  may  never  sin  again. 
What  a  horrible  thing  is  sin,  and  the  more  so  as 
God  is  so  good.  I  quite  abhor  myself  as  being  the 
most  deservedly  detestable  monster  in  existence ; 
and  yet  the  mercy  of  God  and  the  intercessions  of 
the  blessed  Jesus  unite  to  give  me  repentance.  Oh 
come,  repentance,  come  in  thy  humblest,  fullest 
form. 

Easter-day,  1813.  An  encouraging  discourse  on 
repentance.  It  just  suited  my  desperate  case,  and 
brought  me  from  the  verge  of  despair  to  cry  out 
once  more  to  God.  Oh  how  true  it  is  that  there  is 
no  peace  to  the  wicked.  What  a  sea  of  misery  has 
broken  over  me  for  the  last  fortnight,  and  how  very, 
very  dreadfully  deep  have  I  again  fallen  into  that 
horrible  pit,  from  which  nothing  but  the  arm  of  God 
can  rescue  me.     Oh  when  will  it  end? 

Easter  Monday.  Eull  of  anguish.  Pleading 
with  God  for  the  gift  of  repentance.  The  heavens 
appear  almost  shut  against  my  cry,  yet  I  feel  deter- 
mined to  pray  unceasingly.     Went  to  the  prayer- 


CONFLICT   AND    DEFEAT.  49 

meeting,  and  struggled  against  a  hard  heart,  a  flinty 
heart.  Oh  sin,  sin,  what  a  delusive  tyrant  thou  art, 
and  how  galling  are  thine  accursed  bonds.  I  groan- 
ed and  sighed,  and  pleaded  the  blood  of  Christ;  but 
all  was  dark  and  dreary. 

Easter  Tuesday.  After  a  restless  night,  spent 
partly  in  terrific  dreams  and  partly  in  prayer,  I 
threw  myself  on  my  knees  and  entreated  for  mercy. 
Horror  and  dismay  now  opened  a  battery  against 
my  soul.  The  Bible  and  hymn-book  lay  open  be- 
fore me,  and  I  attempted  to  read ;  but  it  was  all  to 
no  purpose,  and  the  gate  of  mercy  seemed  closing, 
hell  yawning  wide  to  swallow  up  its  victim,  and 
devils  anticipating  their  infernal  joy.  But  stop;  a 
gleam  of  light  twinkling  through  the  dark  discovers 
the  gracious  invitation,  "  Knock,  and  it  shall  be 
opened."  Yet  even  this  promise  seemed  not  to 
extend  to  me.  But  to  stay  on  Satan's  ground  was 
certain  death  ;  therefore  I  prostrated  myself  before 
the  throne  in  an  agony  of  distress.  Oh,  it  seemed 
to  be  a  last  effort,  and  I  never  in  all  my  life  prayed 
in  such  a  manner  before.  God  Almighty  heard  me, 
and  by  the  blessed  Jesus  sent  me  an  answer  of 
peace  and  consolation.  I  arose  in  a  flood  of  tears. 
My  pain  was  gone,  and  my  gratitude  seemed  as  if 
it  would  drive  me  into  a  delirium  of  joy.  Now  this 
may  be  considered  to  arise  merely  from  a  strong 
i  rritation  of  the  nervous  system.  Well,  let  all  this  be 
called  by  whatever  name  it  may  by  others,  I  would 
humbly  attribute  it  to  the  forgiving  mercy  of  God. 
Could  mere  imagination  change  the  soul  of  a  man 
from  grief  to  joy,  make  that  a  delight  which  was 

Jo'm  Vina  Ball.  3 


50  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

before  a  dreadful  torment,  and  induce  a  man  to 
endeavor  to  cut  off  a  right  arm  and  pluck  out  a 
right  eye  in  the  Lope  of  becoming  acceptable  to 
God  by  the  blood  of  the  blessed  Redeemer?  I 
think  not. 

April  12.  Have  made  it  a  determination,  by 
divino  help,  to  pray  unto  God  several  times  every 
day,  that  I  may  be  kept  in  a  spirit  of  watchfulness 
and  gratitude,  and  be  preserved  from  any  kind  of 
sin.  O  God  of  mercy,  help  me,  for  the  sake  of 
Christ,  for  I  am  weak  and  a  profligate  wretch  in- 
deed. But  thou  canst  blot  out  all  my  offences,  and 
blessed  be  thy  name  for  giving  me  to  believe  that 
to  forgive  is  one  of  thy  chiefest  delights,  and  that 
thou  hadst  rather  pardon  than  destroy. 

ArniL  25.  By  the  blessing  and  power  of  God  I 
have  been  preserved  to  this  day  in  a  spirit  of  watch- 
fulness and  prayer ;  but  I  want  to  feel  a  continual 
sense  of  my  own  depravity  and  ingratitude,  that  I 
may  the  more  deeply  repent  before  God  Almighty, 
and  be  reconciled  unto  him  once  again,  through 
and  by  the  merits  and  sacrifice  of  Jesus. 

May  2,  1813.  Another  week  has  been  grantod 
me  of  peace  and  comfort.     Blessed  be  God. 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTORY.  51 


CHAPTER   III. 

CONFLICT  AND  VICTORY. 
1814  TO  1819— AGE  40-45. 

On  the  30tli  of  January,  1814, 1  received  a  letter 
from  my  truly  valuable  friend,  Alderman  Christo- 
pher Smith,  M.  P.  for  St.  Albans,  and  since  Lord 
Mayor   of  London,  acquainting   me   that,  my  old 

master,  Mr.  B ,  was  dead,  and  that  the  disposal 

of  his  business  had  devolved  upon  himself;  there- 
fore he  wished  me  to  come  to  London  immediately, 
in  order  to  consult  with  our  kind  friend  Mr.  Piek- 
ard,  as  to  his  willingness  to  unite  with  Mr.  Smith 
in  raising  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to  enable  me  to 
take  the  whole  of  the  business.  This  letter  aston- 
ished me  exceedingly,  because  I  had  no  reason  to 
hops  for  such  a  change  of  fortune ;  and  even  at  the 
very  time  of  receiving  this  intelligence  I  was  suffer- 
ing from  a  dreadful  bilious  attack,  brought  on  by 
intemperance.  But  Oh  the  mercy  and  long  suffer- 
ing of  God,  who,  while  I  was  "  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sins,"  even  then  was  at  work  for  my  good,  and 
was  opening  a  door  for  my  future  prosperity  in 
temporals,  and  also  preparing  a  way  for  my  escape 
from  my  dreadfully  besetting  sin.  In  conformity 
with  this  letter,  I  set  out  on  the  2d  of  February  foi 
London.  I  had  but  one  companion  in  the  coach,  a 
student,  a  pious  young  man,  and  we  did  nothing  but 
talk  of  the  mercies  and  dealings  of  a  gracious  Sav- 


52  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

iour.  At  Oxford,  I  walked  into  a  byplace  at  mid- 
night, while  the  outside  passengers  were  at  supper, 
and  kneeling  down  upon  the  stones,  poured  out  my 
soul  to  God  for  his  pardoning  mercy  and  protecting 
car©. 

The  weather  at  this  season  was  excessively  se  • 
vere,  the  snow  covering  the  ground  everywhere,  and 
the  frost  so  intense  that  the  river  Thames  was  fro- 
zen completely  over,  and  the  ice  so  thick  that  booths 
were  erected  and  skittle-alleys  formed,  and  large 
fires  kept  up  upon  the  ice  from  London  Bridge  to 
"Westminster  Bridge,  and  all  sorts  of  pastime  insti- 
tuted. I  went  over  the  Thames  upon  the  ice,  which 
presented  a  dangerous  appearance  on  account  of 
the  many  chasms,  and  yet  was  crowded  with  thou- 
sands of  men,  women,  and  children.  I  was  tempted 
to  take  a  glass  of  wine,  that  I  might  say  in  after- 
times  that  I  had  not  only  visited  the  booths  on  the 
ice,  but  that  I  had  actually  myself  taken  refresh- 
ment there ;  but  my  mountain  then  stood  strong, 
and  temptation  had  no  avail.  I  was  mercifully  pre- 
served in  this  manner  during  the  whole  twelve  days 
that  I  was  kept  in  a  state  of  idleness  and  suspense 
in  London.  There  were  many  applicants  for  the 
concern,  but  my  friend  was  so  determined  to  put 
me  into  possession  of  what  he  considered  an  excel- 
lent opportunity  of  gaining  a  good  maintenance, 
that  he  told  mo  that  he  would  sooner  lose  five  hun- 
dred pounds  than  I  should  be  disappointed.  Mr. 
Pickard  tendered  his  services  by  the  loan  of  ono 
thousand  pounds  towards  the  sum  necessary.  Oh 
the  mercy  of  God  in  creating  such  a  disposition  in 


CONFLICT   AND   VICTORY.  53 

those  -whose  hearts  had  been  so  severely  grieved  by 
my  misconduct. 

Sunday,  Feb.  6.  At  Mr.  Wesley  s  chapel,  in  the 
City  KoacI,  I  heard  a  sermon  by  Dr.  Adam  Clarke. 
His  sermon,  which  I  took  down  from  his  lips,  wan 
on  the  thirtieth  Psalm,  which  he  divided  into  three 
parts  :  namely,  Exultation,  Distress,  and  Eeccvery. 
"This  psalm,"  Dr.  Clarke  observed,  "presents  three 
different  states  of  experience.  The  first  state  is  of 
a  soul  when  first  brought  to  God ;  then  the  ease 
which  this  state  brings;  then  the  presumption  aris- 
ing from  this  ease,  and  the  fall  in  consequence  of 
this  presumption,  and  the  recovery  by  prayer."  Oh 
how  my  ears  were  all  awake  at  this  beginning,  be- 
cause it  seemed  as  if  it  was  the  very  subject  suited 
to  my  own  individual  case.  In  speaking  upon  the 
eighth  verse,  "  I  cried  unto  God,"  Dr.  Clarke  ob- 
served, "  We  are  apt  to  think  that  if  God  were  but 
to  pardon,  it  would  be  well :  no,  not  half  well ;  wo 
must  be  healed."  In  explaining  the  ninth  verse,  he 
observed  that  David  might  say,  "  If  I  am  cut  off  in 
my  backsliding,  and  yet  am  desirous  to  return  to 
God,  who  will  believe  the  promises,  '  Keturn,  thou 
backsliding  Israel,  and  I  will  heal  your  backslid- 
ings ;  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be 
as  white  as  snow  ?' "  "  Therefore,"  said  Dr.  Clarke, 
"  let  no  backslider  ever  despair."  Oh  how  deeply 
did  this  sink  into  my  poor  wounded  heart.  I  was 
all  attention,  all  hope  ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  this  ser- 
mon was  preached  for  me  alone.  And  it  appeared 
the  more  so  when  the  preacher  went  on  to  say  that 
"  some  people  will  ask,  How  can  a  man  who  has 


54  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

repeatedly  trifled  with  mercy,"  exactly  my  unhappy 
case,  "expect  that  God  will  hear  him  again?  Why," 
said  Dr.  Clarke,  "if  the  man  had  no  sorrow,  we 
should  fear  his  state ;  but  if  the  man  desires  to  be 
saved,  we  know  that  such  desire  comes  from  God, 
and  therefore  he  cannot  be  lost.  And  if  this  argu- 
ment would  but  be  taken  hold  of  by  poor  backslid- 
ers, they  would  not  be  unwilling  to  apply  again 
unto  God,  who  is  ever  ready  to  hear  their  cry." 
Oh,  thought  I,  this  is  the  very  cordial  for  my 
wounded  soul,  and  heaven  itself  can  bear  witness 
how  earnestly  I  desire  grace  to  live  to  the  glory  oi 
God,  but  am  prevented  by  the  strength  of  sin.  "Is 
it  not  the  breath  of  God  in  your  own  souls  ?"  said 
Dr.  Clarke.  "As  to  your  convictions  of  your  own 
airworthiness,  that  falls  to  nothing  before  the  blood 
of  Christ ;  your  sins  can  never  be  too  great  to  be 
forgiven.  Take  Christ  in  the  front  of  your  petitions, 
and  God  will  turn  your  mourning  into  dancing.  If 
you  have  lost  your  God,  do  not  rest  till  you  find  him 
again.  Of  what  avail  is  it  to  the  devil  that  he  was 
once  in  heaven  ;  and  what  avail  will  it  be  to  the 
sinner  that  he  once  possessed  the  favor  of  God,  if 
he  does  not  continue  to  possess  that  favor?  But  a, 
soul  that  is  penitent  can  never  be  lost,  for  a  single 
spark  of  grace  can  never  go  to  hell;  and  God  stands 
ready  to  receive  the  penitent,  let  him  come  when- 
ever he  will,  or  however  deep  his  guilt."  Well 
thought  I,  this  is  all  for  me;  and  as  the  Lord's  sup- 
per is  to  be  administered  here  this  morning,  I  will 
assuredly  partake  of  it ;  and  so  I  did,  and  my  soul 
rejoiced. 


CONFLICT   AND   VICTORY.  55 

On  Tuesday,  15th  of  February,  1  awoke  verj> 
early,  and  prayed  earnestly  to  God  to  blot  out  my 
sins  and  disperse  every  unholy  thought,  and  I  was 
for  once  so  completely  engaged  in  imploring  salva- 
tion from  sin  into  perfect  obedience  to  the  will  oi 
God,  that  I  quite  forgot  to  pray  for  my  dear  wife 
and  children ;  but  he  who  searches  all  hearts,  knows 
mine  also.  I  continued  in  a  most  anxious  state  of 
uncertainty  about  the  business  until  Tuesday,  the 
5th  of  April,  1814,  when  a  letter  arrived  saying  that 
the  difficulties  were  now  removed.  Accordingly,  on 
Monday,  the  11th  of  April,  I  arrived  in  Maidstone, 
and  took  possession  of  the  whole  concern. 

Now  then  began  a  new  career  of  life,  and  I  found 
myself  unexpectedly  placed  as  the  master  over  that 
very  house  which  I  entered  as  errand-boy  on  the 
24th  day  of  January,  1786,  and  remained  till  the 
12th  day  of  January,  1801.  Oh  how  was  my  poor 
heart  agitated  with  hopes  and  fears,  and  strong 
determinations  never  again  to  offend  that  God  who 
had  done  such  mighty  deeds  for  one  who  had  so 
awfully  rebelled  against  him.  But  how  weak  are 
our  best  resolutions  when  made  in  our  own  strength ; 
and  so  I  soon  found  it  to  my  cost  and  sorrow,  for  it 
was  only  on  the  Saturday  fortnight,  April  30,  that 
some  of  my  old  companions  came  to  congratulate 
me  upon  my  arrival  at  Maidstone,  and  insisted  on 
taking  wine  by  way  of  wishing  me  success.  Well, 
I  thought  a  glass  or  two  could  not  do  me  any  harm, 
particularly  as  I  had  worked  hard  all  the  week,  and 
had  now  obtained  fortitude  and  resolution  to  stop 
at  three  or  four  glasses  at  the  very  outside.     But 


6G  JOHN    VINE   HALL. 

how  treacherous  is  the  human  heart !  I  wont  on, 
glass  for  glass,  with  my  companions,  till  reason  be- 
gan to  totter,  and  at  this  very  moment,  which  I  shall 
never  forget,  the  door  opened,  and  who  should  stand 
before  my  face  to  witness  my  folly  and  confuswn, 
but  Mr.  Pickard?  Yes;  even  my  best  friend,  who 
had  come  down  from  London  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  giving  me  comfort  and  advice  in  this  trying  mo- 
ment. Oh  how  my  heart  recoiled  at  my  own  deep 
ingratitude  towards  such  a  benevolent  Mend,  and  I 
stood  speechless.  But  he  did  not  upbraid  me,  for 
his  heart  was  too  full  of  compassion  to  augment  the 
anguish  which  he  knew  would  take  possession  of 
my  soul  when  reason  resumed  her  seat.  He  gently 
retreated,  and  looking  me  full  and  expressively  in 
the  face,  said,  "  I  will  see  you  in  the  morning."  I 
dismissed  my  companions  with  reproaches  and  re- 
tired to  bed,  when  I  passed  a  restless  night.  As 
soon  as  I  had  breakfasted  I  waited  on  Mr.  Pickard. 
When  he  saw  me,  he  took  my  hand,  and  with  a  si- 
lent squeeze  looked  forgiveness.  Ho  soon  proposed 
a  walk,  and  we  had  scarcely  got  into  the  street  Avhen 
he  turned  upon  me,  and  with  a  voice  of  sympathy 
said,  "  I  do  not  condemn  you,  for  I  deeply  pity  you." 
This  kindness  entered  my  very  soul,  and  I  could 
only  say,  "  God  bless  you,  sir."  Here  again  I  have 
reason  to  bless  that  merciful  Being  who  did  not 
utterly  take  his  loving  kindness  from  me,  neither 
suffer  my  friends  to  forsake  me. 

After  this  time  I  began  to  apply  myself  moie 
earnestly  to  business  than  ever ;  but  still  my  pre- 
vailing propensity  kept  fast  hold,  and  although  I 


CONFLICT   AND   VICTORY.  57 

was  very  circumspect  at  times  for  three  or  four 
weeks  together,  yet  at  other  intervals  I  went  off 
into  the  most  dreadful  indulgences,  to  the  disgrace 
of  myself  and  to  the  astonishment  and  grief  of  thoso 
who  were  truly  desirous  for  my  happiness.    Among 

these  was  Mr.  M ,  who  had  known  me  from  a 

child,  and  who  combated  the  remarks  of  my  ene- 
mies till  at  last  he  was  almost  in  despair ;  and  added 
to  all  this,  and  as  the  height  of  my  depravity,  I  had 
been  blessed  with  the  best  of  wives,  one  who  feared 
God,  and  whose  life  seemed  to  be  bound  up  in  my- 
self, and  whose  tenderness  towards  me,  even  in  the 
midst  of  my  cruelty,  was  bej-ond  all  expression  or 
description  ;  and  although  I  was  fully  sensible  of 
all  this,  as  well  as  of  the  wonderful  mercy  of  God 
in  not  cutting  me  down,  still  I  had  no  power  to 
resist  my  heart-rending  propensity,  although  the 
happiness  of  my  family  and  friends  was  all  involved 
in  my  conduct.  Added  to  all  this  was  my  own  im- 
mediate danger  of  eternal  misery,  as  also  my  fre- 
quently being  rendered  completely  insane  for  sev- 
eral days  after  I  had  desisted  from  the  use  of  wine 
or  liquors.  All  these  things  only  increased  my 
weakness  and  my  misery,  for  I  often  saw  such 
dreadful  sights  and  heard  such  dreadful  sounds, 
when  recovered  from  intoxication,  that  I  was  fre- 
quently led  to  exclaim,  in  all  the  horror  of  despair, 
that  I  was  certain  that  my  thoughts  of  religion 
were  all  delusion,  and  that  I  was  doomed  by  heaven 
itself  to  eternal  destruction.  Indeed  one  day  as  I 
was  shaving  myself,  after  I  had  been  in  a  dreadful 
state  for  several  days  together,  the  devil  suggested 

3* 


58  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

to  me  that  I  had  better  cut  my  throat  at  once,  for 
I  had  outlived  my  former  respectability,  and  was 
become  such  a  disgrace  to  my  poor  wife  and  chil- 
dren, that  the  sooner  I  was  out  of  the  way  the  bet- 
ter. But  again  the  same  invisible  hand  preserved 
me,  and  I  kept  on  sinning  and  repenting  at  various 
times  during  the  remainder  of  the  years  1814  and 
1815  ;  sometimes  walking  uprightly  to  the  appear- 
ance of  men  for  many  weeks  together,  and  continu- 
ing incessant  in  prayer  to  God  for  deliverance,  still 
hoping  even  against  hope.  At  length  the  time  drew 
nigh  for  my  escape  from  Doubting  Castle  and  from 
the  chains  of  Giant  Despair.  I  had  been  most 
alarmingly  ill  of  a  bilious  fever,  brought  on  by  in- 
temperance, and  was  so  near  death  that  I  began  to 
think  I  must  now  die,  and  go  to  receive  the  reward 
of  my  sins ;  and  yet  hope  was  not  entirely  taken 
from  me,  for  when  I  w as  in  the  greatest  bodily  ag- 
ony I  remembered  the  words  of  David,  and  cried  to 
the  Lord,  and  said,  "  What  profit  is  there  in  my 
blood ;  shall  tho  dead  praise  thee  ?  O  Lord,  let 
me  live  for  Christ's  sake,  and  let  it  be  seen  that 
thine  arm  is  not  shortened  that  it  cannot  save.  Oh 
save  me,  vile  as  I  have  been,  that  even  yet  I  may 
live  to  thy  glory  as  a  monument  of  thy  mercy." 
My  tears  and  my  poor  heart  went  together,  and  a 
voice  seemed  to  say,  "  Thou  shalt  recover ;"  and 
blessed  be  God,  I  did  recover,  with  a  broken  and  a 
contrite  heart. 

I  became  much  humbled,  and  thouglt  if  my 
friends  would  place  me  in  a  private  mad-house,  or 
some  confinement,  I  should  be  content  to  live  on 


CONFLICT   AND   VIOTOKY.  69 

bread  and  water  all  the  da}-s  of  my  life,  if  I  could 
be  preserved  from  sinning  against  God.  While  I 
was  ruminating  in  this  manner,  and  making  fresh 
determinations  to  set  out  again  for  the  kingdom  of 

heaven,  my  dear  wife  and  my  friend  Mr.  M 

had  been  consulting  whether  there  was  any  possi- 
bility of  my  being  benefited  by  medical  advice,  and 
had  actually  applied  to  Dr.  Day,  who  gave  great 
hopes  that  if  I  could  be  brought  to  take  such  med- 
icines as  he  should  prescribe,  a  cure  might  be  ex- 
pected ;  but  that  the  first  great  difficulty  would  be 
to  make  me  acquainted  with  their  deliberations, 
and  to  obtain  m}--  consent  to  conform  to  their  plans. 
At  the  very  same  time  my  gracious  God  was  him- 
self working  in  me  a  strong  desire  to  make  use  of 
every  means  that  could  be  suggested.  This  was  on 
the  ever-to-be-remembered  first  day  of  March,  1816. 

Mr.  M kindly  came  to  visit  me,  though  I  was 

then  unworthy  of  his  notice,  and  as  I  was  deeply 
deploring  my  sad,  sinful,  and  ungrateful  conduct 
towards  God  and  all  my  friends,  I  said,  "  I  wonder 
whether  Dr.  Day  could  possibly  point  out  any  plan 
for  my  relief,"  as  I  was  willing  to  undertake  any 
thing  in  the  world  to  prove  how  desirous  I  was  to 

bo  freed  from  this  dreadful  wickedness.   Mr.  M 

and  my  dear  wife  looked  at  each  other  with  aston- 
ishment, and  she  exclaimed,  "  The  hand  of  God  is 
certainly  in  this  thing."  They  then  informed  me 
of  what  they  had  been  doing,  and  how  troubled 
they  were  to  know  in  what  manner  they  should 
make  me  acquainted  with  their  plans,  fearing  that 
I  should  be  offended. 


60  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

Here,  my  dear  children,  if  ever  you  should  read 
this  book,  here  -was  a  ray  of  light  bursting  upon 
your  poor  father's  head,  which  led  him  from  the  pit 
of  despair  to  the  gates  of  heaven.  Here  his  hopes 
were  again  revived ;  here  your  poor  mother  felt  tlie 
mercy  of  God  pouring  consolation  into  her  almost 
broken  heart ;  and  here  a  new  song  of  praise  arose 
to  that  God  whose  mercy  is  everlasting.  Dr.  Day 
was  immediately  requested  to  visit  me,  and  aftei 
putting  various  questions,  he  agreed  to  take  mo 
under  his  care,  and  even  went  so  far  as  to  say  that 
he  would  never  leave  me  until  he  had,  through  the 
blessing  of  God,  effected  a  cure.  Oh  what  a  day 
was  this ;  what  hopes  and  fears  alternately  played 
in  all  our  minds!  The  very  thought  of  being 
healed  of  such  a  malady,  and  of  being  restored  to 
society  and  respectability,  was  too  delicious  to  be 
endured  without  showers  of  tears.  I  began  to  take 
the  remedies  prescribed  that  very  night,  and  was 
enabled  to  trust  in  God  for  his  assistance  to  enable 
me  to  persevere.  But  it  was  not  merely  the  medi- 
cines, but  a  great  solace  was  given  to  my  mind  by 
Dr.  Day's  kind  commiseration  of  my  situation, 
which  ho  declared  demanded  the  full  exercise  of 
pity,  instead  of  that  heavy  censure  which  had  been 
cast  upon  me.  The  voice  of  pity !  Oh  how  sweet 
,it  is  to  the  deeply  burdened  heart,  overpowered  by 
a  sense  of  its  own  depravity!  In  consulting  with 
my  physician,  I  told  him  how  deeply  my  mind  was 
impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  heinousness  of  my 
sin  against  God,  whom  I  desired  to  love,  and  yet 
had  no  power  to  resist  the  dreadful  evil  which  came 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTORY.  61 

upon  me  periodically  about  once  a  mouth.  His 
answer  was,  that  he  could  not  view  my  case  in  the 
same  depraved  light,  for  he  was  confident,  from 
what  he  had  discovered  respecting  my  nervous  sys- 
tem, that  I  could  no  more  prevent  the  mischief 
when  the  fit  came  upon  me,  than  any  person  sub- 
ject to  the  gout  could  prevent  a  return  of  the  same 
disorder.  Oh  what  a  valve  of  hope  was  now  open*  d 
to  my  ardent  imagination,  to  think  even  for  a  mo- 
ment that  there  were  persons  who  thought  me  less 
guilty  than  I  had  condemned  myself  to  be.  Yet 
still  I  considered  this  by  far  too  favorable  an  opin- 
ion, for  I  had  no  desire  to  forgive  myself,  even 
though  all  my  friends  and  even  my  Creator  should 
do  so.  I  desired  to  consider  myself  quite  as  vile  as 
my  outward  conduct  appeared  to  be,  even  though  I 
had  no  desire  to  lose  my  hope  in  God ;  for  all  things 
were  possible  to  him.  The  medicines  were  draughts 
composed  principally  of  steel,  mixed  in  about  two 
ounces  of  peppermint  water,  to  be  taken  twice  a 
day ;  and  with  these  he  allowed  me  to  take  two  or 
three  glasses  of  port-wine  after  dinner,  but  to  re- 
frain entirely  from  the  use  of  spirits  in  any  way 
whatever;  and  to  make  use  of  toast  and  water  at 
my  meals,  with  a  very  moderate  use  of  small  beer 
or  a  little  porter,  but  no  ale. 

I  desired  to  feel  exceedingly  grateful  that  I  was 
allowed  so  bountiful  a  supply,  and  the  more  partic- 
ularly when  so  great  a  good  was  connected  with  it ; 
for  I  had  determined  in  my  own  poor  strength  that 
I  would  cheerfully  drink  nothing  but  water  during 
the  whole  of  my  life,  if  such  an  expedient  could  at 


62  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

all  be  the  means  of  my  escaping  the  dreadful  evil 
which  had  entwined  itself  around  nie  for  so  many 
years.  I  went  on  in  a  tolerably  steady  manner  for 
several  weeks,  strictly  attending  to  my  medicines 
and  watching  against  temptation,  taking  also  espe- 
cial care  to  read  the  Bible  for  nearly  an  hour  every 
morning  before  breakfast,  with  prayer  and  suppli- 
cation for  divine  help,  and  as  long  as  I  continued 
in  this  regular  course  I  received  daily  blessings. 
My  health  and  strength  were  indeed  renewed  as 
the  eagle's,  and  I  began  to  think  that  my  mountain 
would  now  stand  against  every  attack  of  my  secret 
foe.  Thus  I  became  lifted  up  with  pride,  which  led 
me  to  be  less  attentive  to  prayer  and  reading  the 
Bible;  and  in  consequence,  at  an  unguarded  hour 
I  was  again  the  captive  of  my  enemy. 

Dr.  Day  again  watched  over  me  with  the  great- 
est tenderness,  and  desired  me  not  to  be  discour- 
aged, as  he  had  not  expected  that  I  should  over- 
come in  a  few  weeks  an  evil  which  had  been  grow- 
ing upon  me  for  several  years.  I  took  fresh  courage, 
and  set  out  again  with  a  strong  determination  to  be 
so  very  watchful  that  nothing  should  surprise  me 
for  the  future.  But  how  vain  are  the  strongest 
human  efforts  when  unassisted  by  divine  grace,  and 
how  prone  is  human  nature  to  refuse  that  powerful 
aid  which  is  so  freely  offered  by  the  Creator  of  the 
universe,  "who  giveth  liberally, and  upbraideth  not." 
This  was  not  a  battle  between  myself  and  another 
of  my  fellow-creatures,  in  which  superior  strength, 
or  skill,  or  accident,  might  gain  the  victory;  this 
was  a  contest  with  inbred  corruption  and  habits  of 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTORY.  08 

long  standing  and  increasing  growth,  and  which,  if 
not  subdued,  would  inevitably  sink  the  soul  as  well 
as  the  body  into  endless  ruin.  However,  I  set  out 
agaiu  in  the  same  manner  as  before,  adhering  to 
my  medicines  and  my  Bible,  and  I  thought  myself 
upon  surer  ground  than  ever,  and  particularly  as  I 
had  been  recovered  from  my  last  fall  in  five  days 
instead  of  fifteen  or  twenty  as  was  formerly  the 
case ;  and  this  circumstance  gave  my  physician  as 
well  as  myself  considerable  reason  to  hope  that  wo 
had  at  least  made  some  impression  upon  the  force 
and  power  of  my  strong  propensity. 

Still  these  hopes  were  delusive,  for  in  nine  days 
afterwards  I  fell  into  the  very  same  situation  again, 
and  brought  deep  distress  into  my  own  soul  as  well 
as  poignant  anguish  into  the  heart  of  a  beloved  wife 
and  all  my  friends.  I  might  be  asked,  How  can 
you  have  a  sincere  affection  for  your  wife  if  you 
indulge  in  these  disgraceful  extremes  ?  All  I  could 
answer  would  be  that,  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul, 
T  detest  and  abhor  my  own  conduct,  and  yet  have 
not  the  power  to  resist  that  which  I  hate.  But  to 
proceed.  Dr.  Day  himself  wras  much  chagrined  as 
well  as  myself,  but  he  was  not  at  all  out  of  heart; 
and  when  in  the  anguish  of  my  mind  I  entreated 
him  not  to  leave  me  through  disgust  at  my  conduct, 
he  kindly  reassured  me  that  he  would  never  leave 
me  till  he  had  brought  me  through  every  difficulty. 
And  he  the  more  insisted  upon  it  that  his  hope  was 
considerably  increased,  because  in  these  two  last 
times  of  falling  into  this  distress  I  had  been  recov- 
ered each  time  in  five  days.     Yet  it  would  appear 


61  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

very  naturally  to  some  minds  that  the  blessings  of 
the  Almighty  only  served  to  render  my  heart  more 
hardened  instead  of  reducing  it  to  obedience,  for  he 
had  graciously  given  me  another  sou,  Newman, 
between  these  two  last  falls,  the  first  of  which  ter- 
minated on  the  18th  of  May,  and  the  last  of  which 
commenced  on  the  27th  of  the  same  month;  and  in 
this  interval  I  was  so  far  recovered  and  so  redeter- 
mined to  persevere,  that  on  the  day  my  dear  wife 
was  safely  delivered,  which  was  on  Wednesday,  the 
22d  of  May,  1816,  I  voluntarily  drew  up  of  my  oavh 
mind,  and  wrote  with  my  own  hand,  a  complete 
grant  of  power  to  Dr.  Day  to  make  use  of  what- 
ever means  he  should  deem  most  expedient  to  effect 
my  recovery,  even  to  the  confinement  of  my  person  ; 
and  this  document  I  signed  in  the  presence  of  Dr. 

Day  and  my  friend  Mr.  M ,  into  whose  hands  I 

gave  this  writing,  to  be  by  him  securely  kept  and 
brought  forward  in  vindication  of  Dr.  Day's  con- 
duct, if  ever  my  situation  should  become  so  unfor- 
tunate a3  to  oblige  him  to  have  recourse  to  severe 

measures.     Dr.  Day  and  Mr.  M were  both  of 

them  deeply  affected  by  this  instance  of  my  ardent 
desire  to  overcome  this  evil,  and  they  felt  con- 
strained to  acknowledge  that  I  had  by  this  act 
evinced  all  the  sincerity  that  it  was  possible  for  a 
man  to  display;  and  they  went  away  more  strength' 
ened  than  ever  in  their  opinion  thai  all  would  yet 
end  well.  Indeed  I  myself  had  stronger  hopes  than 
<  rer,  because  T  felt  an  inward  desire  to  live  to  the 
glory  of  Clod,  even  though  my  present  conduct 
seemed  to  be  directly  opposite  to  every  thing  like 


CONFLICT   AND   VICTORY.  65 

such  a  desire,  and  gave  more  encouragement  than 
ever  to  my  enemies  to  hope  for  my  speedy  destruc- 
tion. But  He  who  had  determined  my  deliverance, 
had  also  determined  that  I  should  pass  through 
more  trials,  but  at  the  same  time  he  mercifully  gave 
me  an  increase  of  resolution  to  persevere. 

Yet  my  mind  underwent  many  painful  struggles 
through  fear  that,  even  after  all  that  had  been  said 
and  done,  it  was  still  possible  that  I  had  been  de- 
ceived in  my  hopes  of  recovery  from  so  dreadful  a 
malady,  and  particularly  as  it  had  been  a  strongly 
received  opinion  that  persons  addicted  to  drunken- 
ness were  very  seldom  recovered.  However,  I  took 
fresh  courage,  and  felt  my  fears  considerably  abat- 
ed when  I  read  the  lives  of  Bunvan,  Perkins,  Gardi- 
ner, and  Newton,  all  of  whom  had  been  notorious 
sinners,  and  yet  had  all  been  rescued  from  destruc- 
tion by  the  same  almighty  hand ;  and  why  should  not 
that  same  hand  save  even  me,  notwithstanding  I  had 
outsinned  them  all  ?  My  faith  in  God  revived,  and  I 
commenced  taking  my  medicines  again  on  the  first 
day  of  June,  and  accompanied  them  with  fervent 
prayer  and  a  strict  attention  to  reading  the  Bible 
every  morning  for  one  hour  before  breakfast.  In 
ili is  maimer  I  went  steadily  forward  till  the  23d  of 
July,  when,  to  my  dreadful  grief  and  the  grief  of  all 
my  friends,  I  yielded  again  to  temptation,  and  fell 
into  the  same  dreadful  state  of  intemperance  and 
distress  as  before.  I  remained  under  the  effects  of 
this  fall  for  six  days,  when  it  pleased  God  to  spare 
my  life  once  more,  and  to  renew  my  determination 
to  rise  again  and  enter  upon  a  new  combat  with  my 


66  JOHN   TINE   HALL. 

mortal  foe.  But  no  Language  can  depict  the  anguish 
of  my  mind  to  find  how  dreadfully  I  had  rebelled 
against  my  Creator;  and  it  seemed  to  be  the  most 
incomprehensible  thing  in  the  world  how  I  could  be 
so  drawn  aside,  after  having  tasted  and  relished  the 
goodness  of  God  and  delighted  in  his  ways;  and 
indeed  it  was  such  an  astonishment  to  my  own 
mind,  that  I  was  frequently  constrained  to  look 
upon  myself  as  the  greatest  hypocrite  under  the 
sun,  and  yet  I  could  not  give  up  my  hope  that  my 
prayers,  which  I  thought  Avere  at  least  sometimes 
sincere,  if  not  always  so,  would  eventually  be  an- 
swered. 

Under  these  circumstances  I  set  out  once  more, 
looking  entirely  to  heaven  for  help,  and  continued 
my  medicines  and  reading  the  Bible  with  great 
regularity  every  day.     Thus  I  was  helped  forward 

again,  and  my  kind  Mends  Dr.  Day  and  Mr.  M 

were  every  day  anxiously  overlooking  all  my  steps, 
and  Matching  for  the  completion  of  their  fervent 
wishes.  Hopes  and  fears  now  alternately  rose  in 
my  mind.  The  prize  to  be  obtained  was  of  immense 
value,  therefore  the  fears  of  losing  it  were  great 
indeed ;  and  under  these  impressions  I  pressed  for- 
ward with  great  circumspection,  until  I  had  become 
so  far  established  as  to  discontinue  my  medicines 
entirely.  But  most  unfortunately  my  dear  wife 
was  absent  at  this  time  at  Worcester,  and  having 
no  person  to  converse  with  in  the  evening  after  the 
close  of  business,  I  frequently  went  into  company, 
when  T  should  otherwise  have  been  happy  at  m\ 
own  fireside.     Still,  however,  through  the  mercj  ol 


CONFLICT   AND   VICTORY.  G7 

God,  I  maintained  my  ground,  but  not  with  so  much 
firmness  as  I  should  have  done  if  I  had  been  favored 
with  a  companion  to  engage  my  vacant  hours.  Yet, 
notwithstanding  all  these  dangers,  I  began  to  think 
myself  fully  established  in  such  strength  of  resolu- 
tion as  to  resist  any  temptation,  and  the  more  par- 
ticularly as  I  had  quite  declined  the  use  of  medi- 
cine. But  this  was  false  security,  for  being  invited 
to  dine  with  Mr.  A on  the  10th  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1810,  in  company  with  my  kind  and  watchful 

friend  Mr.  M ,  and  several  other  good  friends,  I 

passed  a  very  happy  day;  and  although  I  did  not 
drink  more  than  a  pint  of  wine,  yet  it  was  so  much 
more  than  I  had  lately  been  accustomed  to  take, 
that  it  produced  a  stimulus  in  my  system,  which 
induced  a  desire  for  more  when  I  got  home,  and  I 
insensibly  gave  way  to  the  desire,  and  thus  stag- 
gered again  out  of  the  right  path.  But  when  I 
returned  to  my  senses,  and  found  what  I  had  been 
guilty  of  in  thus  abusing  the  mercy  of  God,  my  dis- 
tress was  more  poignant  if  possible  than  ever.  I 
had  seemed  to  be  so  near  the  attainment  of  all  my 
best  wishes,  and  of  the  hopes  which  my  friends  had 
so  long  entertained,  that  I  had  only  to  stretch  forth 
my  hand  and  seize  the  crown;  yet  it  again  vanished 
from  my  embrace,  and  the  disappointment  almost 
broke  my  heart.  I  wept  rivers  of  tears,  and  pros- 
trated myself  before  the  mercy-seat  of  God,  and 
implored  his  assistance  even  once  more,  that  mine 
enemy  might  not  have  to  boast  that  his  power  was 
stronger  than  the  grace  of  the  Most  High.  My 
prayers  were  heard,  and  I  was  restored  from  this 


68  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

fall  in  four  days,  and  I  immediately  recommenced 
taking  my  medicines,  being  strengthened  with  a 
determination  never  to  give  up  the  con 

During  all  these  contests  I  had  been  allowed  to 
take  two  or  three  glasses  of  wine  a  day,  or  a  small 
quantity  of  spirits  and  water,  according  to  circum- 
stances ;  but  then  I  had  not  prudence  or  resolution 
enough  always  to  stop  at  the  right  point,  and  this 
often  led  to  bad  consequences.  At  length  Dr.  Day 
reasoned  with  me  as  to  the  necessity  of  confining 
myself  wholly  to  water,  small-beer,  or  porter,  as  the 
uttermost  degree  of  strong  drink  that  I  might  ven- 
ture to  take.  My  desire  to  conquer  every  enemy 
being  now  more  deeply  rooted  than  ever,  I  entered 
into  my  physician's  views  of  the  subject,  and  pra  \  i  d 
for  grace  to  help  me  in  this  my  time  of  need.  My 
dear  wife  was  now  also  returned  from  Worcester, 
which  made  my  home  more  comfortable,  and  gave 
new  life  to  new  resolutions.  Accordingly  I  began  on 
Sunday,  the  22d  of  September,  1816,  to  relinquish 
the  use  of  wine  of  every  description,  and  also  all 
kinds  of  spirituous  liquors  and  ale,  having  also 
pledged  myself  that  if  porter  or  table-beer  were  too 
strong  for  my  constitution,  I  would  cheerfully  con- 
fine myself  to  water  rather  than  offend  a  merciful 
Creator.  I  continued  taking  my  medicines  with  the 
greatest  regularity  till  about  the  10th  of  October, 
when  my  health  becoming  more  and  more  estab- 
lished, I  found  them  unnecessary,  and  after  having 
taken  three  hundred  and  seventy-six:  bottles  of  the 
chalybeate  draughts,  I  relinquished  them  entirely; 
and  through  the  mercy  of  God  have  never  had  any 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTOllY.  09 

occasion  to  recur  to  the  use  of  these  medicines  from 
the  10th  of  October,  181G,  even  to  the  present  mo- 
ment of  writing  this  passage,  which  is  written  on 
this  29th  day  of  November,  1817. 

During  the  whole  of  this  period,  that  great  Being 
tvho  was  accomplishing  so  wonderful  a  work,  was 
also  giving  me  an  increasing  desire  to  study  his 
holy  word;  and  through  his  constraining  influence 
I  have  never  passed  a  single  day  without  reading 
the  Bi^le  for  one  hour,  or  nearly  so,  every  morning 
before  breakfast,  besides  at  several  other  times  in 
the  day,  and  praying  most  earnestly  to  have  my 
understanding  illuminated,  that  the  precepts  and 
doctrines  t)f  the  Scriptures  might  be  deeply  fixed  in 
my  heart,  and  form  the  constant  rule  of  my  life 
before  God  and  man.  By  these  means  I  have  been 
kept  in  a  state  of  continual  happiness,  my  health 
has  been  uninterruptedly  good,  and  all  my  comforts 
have  abounded,  and  I  trust  that  I  am  daily  living 
to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  God.  as  a  wonderful 
monument  of  his  free  grace  and  great  salvation. 

I  would  not  have  any  one  suppose  that  the 
great  good  here  recorded  was  obtained  without 
many  struggles.  It  is  no  easy  thing  to  overcome 
long-established  habits,  particularly  when  the  natu- 
ral inclinations  are  ever  ready  to  contribute  to  their 
strength.  And  this  was  my  case,  inasmuch  as  I 
was  of  a  lively,  cheerful  disposition,  and  fond  ot 
company ;  and  because  I  could  sing  a  good  song  or 
tell  a  good  tale,  I  was  continually  invited  into  par- 
ties of  drinking  and  pleasure.  All  this  was  to  be 
overcome,  and  pursuits  of  an  opposite  tendency 


70  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

were  to  be  encouraged  -with  the  utmost  energy  and 

perseverance.  Now  nothing  short  of  divine  help 
could  possibly  accomplish  so  desirable  an  end;  but 
this  help  was  to  be  had  simply  by  asking  it,  with  a 
sincere  and  contrite  mind,  of  Him  who  has  gra- 
ciously declared  that  all  who  seek  shall  find.  I 
am  sure  that  I  am  a  living  witness  of  the  faithful- 
ness of  God  to  all  his  promises.  But  did  the  seek- 
ing the  kingdom  of  heaven  make  me  less  cheerful 
or  less  lively  ?  Far  from  it ;  all  this  natural  vivac- 
ity continued  to  flow,  but  it  was  turned  into  another 
channel.  My  business  was  pursued  with  as  much 
avidity  as  ever;  but  the  perplexities  which  used  to 
occasion  peevishness  were  now  all  softened  by  a 
serenity  that  made  crooked  things  straight  and 
rough  places  plain,  thus  exemplifying  the  words  of 
Scripture,  that  the  ways  of  religion  "are  ways  of 
pleasantness,  and  all  her  paths  are  peace."  Yet  my 
feelings  were  often  deeply  oppressed  Avhen  I  beheld 
any  poor  creature  tottering  in  the  streets  under  the 
influence  of  intoxication,  and  the  recollection  of  my 
own  former  distressing  state  impelled  a  fervent  ejac- 
ulation that  God  would  mercifully  become  the  friend 
of  these  poor  creatures,  who  had  lost  all  friendship 
for  themselves  and  were  totally  insensible  of  their 
danger.  Indeed  I  never  see  persons  in  liquor  but 
my  heart  groans  for  their  relief,  as  I  well  know  that 
nothing  short  of  Omnipotence  can  slay  the  raging 
of  such  an  unmerciful  enemy.  Those  persons  who 
had  laid  many  bitter  things  to  my  charge  all  became 
quiet  when  it  was  known  that  I  not  only  abhorred 
this  conduct  myself,   but   that  I  had   also   placed 


CONFLICT    AND    VICTORY.  71 

myself  under  the  entire  direction  of  a  physician  of 
long  tried  abilities,  in  order  that  I  might  be  reliev- 
ed from  this  formidable  malady,  which  he  most 
unequivocally  denominated  disease  and  not  inclina- 
tion; and  that  it  was  a  disease  induced  by  a  strong 
affection  of  the  whole  nervous  system,  which  ren- 
dered it  almost  impossible  to  escape  the  effects 
produced.  This  testimony  softened  the  malice  of 
my  foes  into  pity;  and  when  they  were  credibly 
informed  that  I  was  continually  striving  against  it, 
they  almost  universally  wished  me  success.  My 
friends  all  gathered  around  me  with  the  kindest 
expressions  of  encouragement,  and  this  gave  me  a 
zest  to  persevere;  and  when  I  also  beheld  my  dear 
children  and  a  beloved  wife  all  deeply  involved  in 
my  fate,  my  heart  was  elevated  to  heaven  at  the 
very  thought  of  being  restored  to  them  in  health 
and  happiness. 

It  was  a  Christmas  day,  1816,  when  we  were  all 
sitting  round  the  fire,  my  wife  on  one  side  and 
myself  on  the  other,  with  our  four  healthy  boys, 
Edward,  Yine,  Stephen,  and  Newman,  playing  be- 
tween us,  and  ourselves  enjoying  a  serenity  of  hap- 
piness springing  from  the  mercy  of  our  God,  that 
the  prospect  of  future  bliss  and  the  high  enjoyment 
of  present  comfort  quite  overpowered  our  feelings, 
and  with  hearts  lifted  up  in  fervent  gratitude  to  the 
Author  of  our  blessings,  we  sang,  "Praise  God, 
from  whom  all  blessings  flow,"  and  we  sang  it  with 
the  heart  full  in  tune,  while  tears  of  unspeakable 
delight  rolled  down  in  sympathy  with  our  exalted 
affections.     It  was  a  day  of  pure  delight,  such  atj 


72  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

we  liad  never  witnessed  before,  because  our  affec- 
tions were  never  before  so  sincerely  fixed  on  our 
great  Redeemer.  And  besides  all  this,  I  had  been 
preserved  ninety-four  days  without  tasting  even  a 
drop  of  any  strong  liquor,  and  this  had  never  befoi  e 
occurred  since  I  was  seven  tern  years  of  age.  All 
this  increased  our  joy  and  gave  additional  vigor  to 
hopes  of  the  future,  and  the  more  particularly  as 
God  Almighty  had  himself  given  me  strength  to 
pluck  out  a  right  eye  and  cut  off  a  right  hand  in 
order  that  I  might  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
I  now  close  this  narrative  wilh  the  strongest  and 
most  powerful  exhortation  to  my  dear  children,  that 
if  ever  they  felt  any  affection  for  their  father,  or 
would  desire  to  reap  advantage  by  his  painful  as 
well  as  happy  experience,  they  would  closely  study 
and  highly  value  that  blessed  book  the  Bible, 
which  is  able,  under  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spir- 
it, to  make  them  wise  unto  salvation ;  and  not  only 
happy  with  respect  to  eternity,  but  its  precepts,  if 
followed,  will  soften  all  the  cares  of  this  life,  and 
enable  them  to  pass  through  the  world  with  honor 
to  themselves  and  with  glory  to  that  God  whose 
mercy  is  everlasting,  and  whose  wondrous  power 
has  changed  the  heart  of  their  father  from  the  very 
spirit  of  infidelity  to  a  decided  belief  and  immov- 
able confidence  in  the  all-sufficiency  of  the  atoning 
blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  upon  whom  his  soul 
now  securely  rests  for  eternal  felicity. 

Maidstone,  Monday,  Sept.  22,  1817.  What  an 
anniversary  is  this  to  my  poor  soul,  and  what  pro- 
digious blessings  has  the  Lord  bestowed  upon  me 


CONFLICT   AND   VICTORY.  7H 

during  the  whole  of  the  last  year;  for  it  was  this 
day  twelve  months  ago  that  God  himself  enabled 
me  to  set  out  afresh  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
being  released  by  his  almighty  arm  from  the  domin- 
ion of  my  easily  besetting  sin.  This  dreadful  sin 
was  a  constant  desire  to  drink  to  excess,  by  which 
all  my  faculties  were  paralyzed,  and  my  soul  was 
sinking  fast  into  despair;  but  at  length  the  power 
of  Jesus  snatched  my  soul  from  that  horrible  pit 
over  which  it  had  long  been  suspended,  and  from 
which  it  seemed  impossible  to  escape.  But  the 
mercy  of  God  is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting 
upon  those  who  fear  him,  and  his  grace  alone  has 
enabled  me  during  the  whole  of  the  last  year  to 
resist  every  temptation  to  drink  even  a  single  glass 
of  wine  of  any  description,  or  to  taste  any  kind  of 
spirituous  liquors  or  strong  drink.  Is  it  possible ! 
Yes;  and  also  God  has  given  me  the  constant  desire 
to  study  that  best  of  books  the  Bible,  which  I  have 
studied  every  day  for  one  hour  before  breakfast  to 
the  edification  and  delight  of  my  heart.  He  also  has 
made  it  the  delight  of  my  soul  to  hold  converse  with 
him  all  the  day  long,  whether  engaged  in  walking 
or  reading,  or  in  the  perplexities  of  business.  But 
if  any  one  should  ever  get  hold  of  this  book  and 
read  what  I  have  already  penned,  I  would  not  have 
him  suppose  that  even  this  happy  year  was  passed 
through  without  conflict.  Far  otherwise ;  it  was  r 
very  severe  struggle  between  life  and  death;  and 
nothing  short  of  the  whole  armor  of  God  conld  have 
enabled  me  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day.  But  by 
the  grace  of  God  T  am  what  I  am ;  and  though  I 

I  .1,,,  Vino  null.  4 


74  JOHN    VINE    IIALL. 

have  been  thus  far  preserved,  still  I  daily  tremble 
for  fear  that  I  may  do  something  to  dishonor  the 
name  of  my  God.  When  I  reflect  upon  the  strange 
events  of  my  life  contrasted  with  the  lives  of  New- 
ton, of  Bunyan,  and  other  dreadful  sinners,  and 
lastly,  of  St.  Paul,  who  styled  himself  the  chief  of 
sinners,  I  am  often  led  to  exclaim,  that  they  scarce- 
ly knew  what  sin  was,  when  put  into  the  scale  against 
the  depravities  which  have  marked  my  progress,  for 
I  verily  believe  that  I  have  outsinned  them  all  to- 
gether. I  mention  this  to  show  forth  the  long-suf- 
fering of  God,  who  has  raised  such  a  creature  from 
the  very  centre  of  hell  to  sing  his  praises  and  to 
live  to  his  glory,  and  to  be  a  witness  in  these  latter 
times  that  he  is  as  willing  as  ever  to  receive  all  who 
call  upon  him  in  sincerity  and  truth. 

Thursday,  Jan.  1,  1818.  Ah,  my  poor  dear  chil- 
dren, your  happy  father  scarcely  knows  how  to 
begin  his  record  of  another  year.  The  mercies  of 
the  year  that  is  past  are  so  great,  that  your  poor 
father  hardly  knows  where  to  begin  the  praises  of 
that  God  who  has  saved  his  life  from  destruction, 
and  who  has  crowned  him  with  loving-kindness 
and  tender  mercies.  But,  my  dear  sons,  as  I  have 
already  brought  down  my  narrative  to  the  29th  of 
November  last,  I  will  shortly  state  to  you  the  sim- 
ple occurrence  of  Christmas  day.  In  the  morning 
of  that  blessed  anniversary,  you,  my  dear  children, 
together  with  your  mother  and  your  father,  were  all 
assembled  round  the  fire  before  breakfast,  wishing 
each  other  a  happy  Christmas,  and  being  full  of 
joy,  we  all  joined  in  singing,  "Praise  God,  from 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTOUY.  76 

whom  all  blessings  flow."  Your  mother  and  my- 
self, looking  at  each  other  and  then  on  you  our 
dear  children,  and  feeling  in  our  hearts  the  love  of 
that  beneficent  Being  who  has  been  so  merciful 
towards  us,  were  constrained  to  lift  up  our  hearts 
with  gratitude,  while  our  eyes  did  indeed  overflow 
with  joy.  Even  you,  my  dear  children,  young  as 
you  were,  appeared  to  enter  into  these  feelings,  for 
you  united  in  singing,  "Grace,  'tis  a  charming 
sound,"  and  you  sung  it  with  all  your  might;  after 
which  we  had  family  prayer,  and  at  the  proper 
time  we  attended  the  morning  service  at  chapel. 
We  spent  the  happiest  Christmas  day  that  we  had 
ever  known  in  our  whole  life  before ;  yet  neither 
your  mother  nor  your  father  tasted  even  a  drop  of 
any  kind  of  wine  or  liquor.  As  not  even  the  cheer- 
fulness of  Christmas  could  move  your  father  from 
his  purpose,  so  your  kind  mother  also  was  deter- 
mined that  she  would  not  take  any  wine  on  this 
day.  Have  we  not  boundless  cause  to  rely  with 
implicit  confidence  on  that  benevolent  Being  who 
has  already  done  such  great  things  for  us,  and  who 
has  brought  your  poor  father  out  of  a  horrible  pit 
and  placed  his  feet  on  a  rock,  and  put  a  new  song 
into  his  mouth,  even  the  praise  of  God.  Now,  my 
dear  children,  this  is  the  entire  work  of  that  gra- 
cious God,  who  has  brought  your  father  through 
tire  and  through  water  to  feel  unfeigned  delight  in 
studying  his  holy  word  every  day  for  the  last  fifteen 
months;  and  the  Bible  has  indeed  been  "a  lamp  to 
his  feet  and  a  light  to  his  path,"  to  guard  him  from 
evil  and  to  guide  him,  under  the  influence  of  the 


7G  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

Holy  Spirit,  into  the  way  of  life  everlasting.  Oil 
then  listen  to  the  admonition  of  your  anxious  par- 
ent, who  is  himself  a  striking  monument  of  the 
mercy  of  that  God,  who  will  surely  answer  your 
prayers  if  you  call  upon  him  in  sincerity  and  truth, 
through  the  medium  of  his  beloved  Son,  who  not 
only  made  atonement  for  your  sins,  but  shed  his 
precious  blood  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world. 
Therefore  I  beseech  you,  by  the  mercies  of  God, 
never  to  listen  to  the  insinuations  of  Satan,  that 
your  sins  are  too  great  to  be  pardoned,  for  that 
can  never  be  the  case  while  Jesus  Christ  continues 
to  be  our  Advocate  and  Intercessor  at  the  throne  of 
mercy;  and  there  he  stands  for  ever  employed  in 
that  glorious  work  till  the  final  consummation  of  all 
things.  Therefore  do  not  suffer  any  circumstances, 
however  desperate  they  may  appear,  to  drive  you 
to  despair,  but  consider  what  severe  trials,  tempta- 
tions, and  miserable  falls  David  encountered,  and 
consider  his  repentance  and  restoration;  and  last 
of  all,  consider  the  painful  trials  of  your  own  once 
miserable,  but  now  happy  father,  who  has  been  res- 
cued from  the  very  depths  of  hell  by  sovereign  grace 
alone,  to  enjoy  daily  and  hourly  communion  with 
God,  under  the  liveliest  hope  of  eternal  felicity. 

Monday,  March  2, 1818.  Yesterday  my  dear  wife 
and  myself  joined  with  the  church,  at  the  Indepen- 
dent meeting  in  Week-street,  in  celebrating  the 
Lord's  supper.  I  was  admitted  a  member  on  Wed- 
nesday last,  the  25th  of  February  ;  and  here  surely 
I  may  praise  that  merciful  God  who  has  brought 
me  into  his  banqueting  hoirse,  and  placed  me  under 


CONFLICT   AND   VICTORY.  77 

his  banner  of  love.  O  that  I  might  "dwell  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord  for  ever!" 

I  had  brought  down  1113'  narrative  to  the  1st  of 
January  hist,  but  had  omitted  to  mention  that  the 
Rev.  Edmund  Jenkins,  pastor  of  the  Independent 
meeting  in  Week-street,  was  an  inmate  in  our  familv 
for  nearly  four  months,  until  Wednesday,  the  14th  ot 
February  last,  on  which  day  he  quitted  us,  and  was 
married  the  next  morning.  During  Mr.  Jenkins' 
residing  with  us  we  experienced  man}r  blessings  of 
a  spiritual  nature,  particularly  in  having  family 
prayer,  which  had  long  been  abandoned  before  he 
came;  but  on  the  day  of  his  departure  it  pleased 
God  to  give  me  grace  and  strength  to  go  forward 
with  this  important  duty,  which  we  have  regularly 
continued  with  great  delight  and  inward  satis- 
faction. 

Monday,  Sept.  21,  1818.  This  auspicious  day 
completes  a  period  of  two  whole  years,  during 
which,  by  the  grace  of  God  alone,  I  have  been  most 
miraculously  preserved  from  drinking  any  kind  of 
wine  or  spirits,  but  have  confined  myself  to  porter 
or  water.  Yet  I  was  seduced  hj  a  depraved  nature 
to  drink  more  porter  than  wras  right,  by  which  I 
was  brought  into  a  distressing  situation ;  but  I  have 
abundant  reason  to  be  deeply  thankful  to  a  merci- 
ful God,  that  wdien  the  enemy  came  in  like  a  flood, 
his  almighty  arm  wTas  lifted  up  in  my  defence,  and 
I  was  recovered  from  the  snare  in  less  time  than 
ever  before,  being  only  one  day  under  the  power  of 
my  adversaiy.  The  last  time  Avas  on  Wednesday, 
the  15th  of  July,  when,  the  weather  being  sultry  in 


78  JOHN    VINE   HALL. 

the  extreme,  I  drank  porter  till  I  became  ashamed 
of  myself;  yet  the  hand  of  God  never  forsook  me, 
neither  was  I  suffered  to  taste  even  so  much  as  a 
drop  of  any  kind  of  wine  or  spirits,  although  there 
was  a  quantity  of  each  within  my  reach,  and  no 
human  being  present  to  prevent  my  taking  it  if  I 
had  been  so  inclined.  But  my  great  Deliverer  had 
issued  his  sovereign  mandate,  "Hitherto  shalt  thou 
come,  but  no  further."  I  felt  very  deep  anguish 
for  my  transgression,  and  I  entreated  grace  to  give 
up  every  idol.  Porter  had  indeed  been  my  idol, 
and  was  to  my  taste  the  greatest  luxury;  but  this 
must  also  be  given  up.  I  pondered  these  things  in 
my  mind  without  coming  to  a  decision,  till  our  faith- 
ful minister,  in  one  of  his  pastoral  visits,  put  the 
following  question  to  me  in  the  most  impressive 
manner,  "Do  you  love  porter  better  than  Christ?" 
The  appeal  went  home  to  my  soul,  and  I  instantly 
resolved,  by  divine  help,  that  I  would  not  only  give 
up  my  long  favorite  beverage,  but  every  thing  else 
that  should  retard  my  journey  to  heaven.  Accord- 
ingly I  ceased  immediately  from  the  use  of  porter, 
and  from  the  19th  of  July  to  the  present  day,  Sep- 
tember 21,  I  have  never  tasted  any  other  beverage 
than  my  own  table-beer  and  water.  Hero  then  I 
have  more  abundant  reason  than  ever  to  praise  that 
merciful  Being  who  has  thus  subdued  three  of  my 
great  enemies,  and  placed  them  under  my  feet. 
Shall  I  ever  again  distrust  the  continuance  of  that 
mercy  which  lias  been  so  greatly  manifested  in  my 
deliverance  from  so  dreadful  a  bondage?  Oh  be 
such  a  thought  far  from  me,  and  let  me  ever  rest 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTORY.  79 

secure  that  He  who  hath  begun  the  good  work  will 
indeed  cany  it  out  to  full  perfection.  But  let  mo 
take  heed. 

N i:\v- year's  day,  1819.  What  an  eventful  year 
has  the  last  been  to  me,  and  what  astonishing  mer- 
cies have  been  poured  out  upon  my  unworthy  head. 
Who  could  have  thought  it  possible,  after  what  I 
have  already  recorded,  that  I  should  ever  again  fall 
into  the  net  of  my  deadly  enemy  ?  Yet  so  unwatch- 
ful  have  I  been,  and  so  lifted  up  by  pride,  that  I 
considered  myself  now  completely  secure  against 
my  former  propensity,  and  that  it  was  totally  im- 
possible ever  to  be  overcome  by  table-beer.  But 
one  unhappy  day  I  was  thus  again  brought  into 
disgraceful  distress.  Yet  there  was  still  abundant 
reason  for  thankfulness,  as  God  restrained  me  from 
either  spirits,  porter,  wine,  or  ale.  But  this  table- 
beer  was  a  little  leaven  which  would  soon  have 
leavened  the  whole  lump.  Although  God  had  ena- 
bled me  to  cut  off  the  right  hand  almost,  yet  the 
retaining  the  use  of  beer  was  something  like  retain- 
ing one  little  finger  of  that  hand.  I  was  not  suffered 
to  remain  long  in  this  painful  state,  which  com- 
menced on  Monday  afternoon,  the  lGth  of  Novem- 
ber, for  on  the  Wednesday  following  I  was  seized 
with  a  most  dreadful  fit  of  the  bile,  and  then  began 
to  recover.  I  felt  myself  to  be  an  ungrateful,  sin- 
ful creature,  and  desired  to  fall  before  a  throne  of 
grace,  that  I  might  obtain  mercy  and  strength  to 
set  out  again  in  the  right  path.  I  now  found,  by 
bitter  experience,  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary 
to  give  up  every  thing  that  could  bring  my  soul 


80  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

into  similar  distress  from  a  similar  cause,  and  that 
if  I  had  a  spark  of  sincere  love  towards  God,  I  must 
from  this  hour  give  up  the  use  of  all  hinds  of  liquid 
containing  any  spirit.  Accordingly,  having  received 
from  God  himself  a  holy  desire  to  live  to  his  glory, 
I  called  upon  him  to  give  me  strength,  and  set  for- 
ward again  on  Thursday  evening,  the  19th  of  No- 
vember, with  the  determination  never  to  allow  any 
thing  stronger  than  tea  or  coffee  to  enter  my  lips 
again.  In  this  blessed  resolution  I  have  been  ena- 
bled, through  divine  assistance,  to  continue  to  the 
present  moment,  and  have  uniformly  substituted 
water  for  malt  liquor  with  my  meals,  and  instead  of 
a  glass  of  beer  after  my  meals,  I  have  experienced 
unspeakable  comfort  in  taking  nothing  but  milk 
and  water.  Oh,  the  greatness  of  the  power  of  the 
grace  of  God !  It  is  indeed  unconquerable,  and  I 
am  a  living  witness  of  its  miraculous  influence. 
May  my  benevolent  Creator  grant,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake,  that  I  may  remain  a  faithful  witness  to  all 
eternity. 

October,  1820.  How  many  humiliating  circum- 
stances do  I  find  when  looking  over  my  ledgers.  En- 
tries scarcely  legible,  yet  piercingly  plain  as  to  tho 
miserable  state  I  was  reduced  to  through  the  abuse 
of  wine  when  such  entries  were  made.  I  view  them 
with  agony  and  grief.  I  then  turn  with  grateful 
astonishment  to  the  present  circumstances  of  my 
spared  life,  and  ardently  desire  to  be  filled  with 
deep  repentance  before  a  gracious  and  patient  God. 

I  rejoice  on  account  of  my  beloved  wife  and  dear 
friends,  who  are  no  longer  fearful  of  evil  tidings  as 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTORY.  81 

heretofore  when  my  name  is  mentioned,  and  who 
are  no  longer  ashamed  of  their  relationship  to  a 
person  who  had  caused  them  so  much  grief.  What 
a  contrast  to  those  dreadful  times  when  such  fearful 
sights  appeared  before  my  eyes,  that  if  I  were  not 
at  this  present  time  in  the  full  possession  of  my 
senses,  the  very  mention  of  such  scenes  would  cre- 
ate a  suspicion  of  insanity.  At  one  time,  being  in 
bed  and  fully  awake,  with  my  dear  wife  sitting  be- 
side me,  I  saw  the  figures  of  two  frightful  looking 
men  extending  their  bodies  apparently  over  the  top 
of  the  bed,  with  long  whips  in  their  hands,  with 
which  they  were  flogging  me,  amid  dreadful  impre- 
cations, on  account  of  my  evil  conduct.  I  caught 
fast  hold  of  my  wife,  and  screamed  out  in  an  agony 
of  fright,  which  so  alarmed  her  that  she  endeav- 
ored to  escape  from  me ;  but  so  great  was  my  terror 
that  I  held  her  fast  in  my  arms,  fearing  that  these 
demons  should  carry  me  away  if  she  quitted  the 
room.  She  alarmed  the  house,  which  brought  her 
sister  and  two  maid-servants  into  the  chamber ;  but 
I  would  not  allow  her  to  leave  me  during  the  night. 
This  was  after  a  fit  of  intoxication  had  subsided, 
but  which  had  so  deranged  my  nerves  as  to  pro- 
duce temporary  insanity ;  yet  I  recollect  the  cir- 
cumstances as  plainly  as  if  they  were  in  action  at 
the  present  moment. 

At  many  other  times  strange  figures  appeared 
before  me,  accusing  me  of  all  my  former  sinful  prac- 
tices, which  were  as  plainly  brought  before  my  rec- 
ollection as  if  they  had  but  recently  taken  place. 

Sometimes  flashes  of  lightning  appeared  to  pass  be- 

4* 


82  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

fore  me,  and  when  I  inquired  of  these  figures  what 
such  appearances  signified,  they  would  seem  to  an- 
swer that  they  came  from  hell,  and  that  they  were 
commissioned  to  drag  me  there.  All  these  things 
appeared  real  to  my  poor  agitated  mind,  and  al- 
most drove  me  distracted.  One  Sunday  morning, 
while  the  peoplo  were  passing  to  church,  I  jumped 
out  of  bed  to  follow  a  spirit  with  which  I  had 
been  conversing;  the  supposed  phantom  leading 
me  down  stairs  to  the  door,  which  I  opened  to  ad- 
mit of  its  departure.  At  this  time  I  was  perfectly 
free  from  intoxication,  but  my  nerves  were  all  de- 
ranged in  consequence  of  a  very  late  fit  of  intem- 
perance. 

Appearances  of  the  strangest  kind  were  contin- 
ually presented  not  only  to  my  mind,  but  to  my 
eyesight,  and  from  this  circumstance  I  can  account 
for  the  tales  of  apparitions  which  have  seemed  to 
appear  to  persons  laboring  under  nervous  irrita- 
tion. But  still  these  things  appeared  to  be  real, 
and  were  frightfully  distressing.  At  other  times  I 
have  been  tempted  to  destroy  myself,  that  the  world 
might  be  rid  of  such  a  monster;  but  now  here  I  am, 
with  my  life  redeemed  from  destruction,  my  health 
renewed  like  the  eagle's,  my  soul  and  body  devoted 
to  God,  to  the  honor  and  praise  of  his  almighty 
power;  and  for  this  reason,  because  uhis  mercj 
endureth  for  ever." 

Often  have  I  taken  the  dreadful  glass  into  my 
hand,  and  looked  at  the  wine  with  a  sort  of  sensi- 
ble horror,  yet  had  no  power  f<>  resist  the  strong 
impulse  to  let  it  pass  my  throat.     Many  and  many 


CONFLICT   AND    VICTORY.  83 

a  time  has  conscience  plainly  told  me  that  this  con- 
duct would  assuredly  bring  me  to  ruin,  my  children 
to  beggary,  and  my  wife  to  an  untimely  grave;  yet, 
with  all  these  reflections,  the  dreadful  habit  was  so 
strong,  that  I  gave  way  to  its  force.  Many  a  time 
also  I  have  looked  with  strong  emotion  upon  poor 
ragged  children  playing  in  the  streets,  and  when 
my  sympathies  have  been  excited  even  to  tears,  the 
same  faithful  monitor  has  whispered  to  my  mind, 
"  Such  will  be  the  fate  of  your  own  children,  unless 
you  break  off  this  destructive  habit."  But  all  these 
things  were  unavailing ;  affliction,  tenderness,  con- 
science, had  no  power,  and  nothing  short  of  Om- 
nipotence could  perform  the  mighty  act. 

My  happiness  is  now  unspeakably  great,  arising 
from  constant  temperance  and  sobriety,  and  from 
being  also  at  all  times  ready  to  meet  the  business 
and  difficulties  of  the  day,  thus  liviDg  in  some  very 
small  degree  to  the  glory  of  God.  Even  in  the 
midst  of  all  these  blessings,  how  much  anguish  does 
it  occasion  my  soul  to  catch  myself  sometimes  mus- 
ing over  scenes  of  past  sensual  indulgence,  till  for- 
mer sins  appear  to  be  almost  recommitted.  What 
but  the  precious  blood  of  Christ  could  atone  for 
such  deeply-rooted  pollution?  I  have  been  often 
pained  by  the  most  abominable  thoughts  crowding 
upon  my  mind,  even  in  the  midst  of  secret  prayer 
as  well  as  in  the  house  of  God,  and  have  therefore 
been  led  to  suspect  whether  I  was  truly  sincere  in 
the  profession  which  I  had  made.  These  things  are 
very  painful,  and  yet  I  not  only  delight,  yes,  greatly 
delight  in  the  ordinances  of  God,  both  public  and 


84  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

private,  but  feel  great  pleasure  also  in  the  society 
of  those  who  love  his  blessed  name,  and  who  by  his 
grace  are  enabled  to  praiso  him  in  their  lives  and 
conversation.  I  do  indeed  feel  great  delight,  un- 
speakably so,  in  the  company  of  a  sincere  Chris- 
tian, and  I  hate  every  evil  way  and  every  thing 
within  myself  as  well  as  others  that  would  dishonor 
the  Son  of  God.  It  now  affords  me  great,  unspeak- 
able pleasure  to  point  out  to  poor  perishing  sinners 
the  willingness  of  God  to  forgive  all  who  repent  and 
turn  from  their  sins,  and  also  to  stand  forth  as  a 
witness  to  his  faithfulness  and  power  to  subdue  the 
most  inveterate  habits.  I,  who  was  a  most  dread- 
ful drinker,  even  I  am  become  one  of  the  most  sober 
men  in  England,  through  the  power  of  God  alone. 


EMANCIPATION.  £6 


CHAPTEE  IV. 
EMANCIPATION. 

1819  TO  1821— AGE  45-47. 

Feb.  18,  1819.  Blessed  be  God  that  thirteen 
weeks  have  now  passed  in  "which  I  have  enjoyed 
the  uninterrupted  gratification  of  never  tasting  any 
other  liquids  than  coffee,  tea,  or  milk  and  water. 
Oh  what  mercy !  And  so  much  have  I  enjoyed  this 
latter  beverage,  that  it  becomes  sweeter  and  sweeter 
to  my  taste  every  day,  and  my  health  and  spirits 
are  kept  in  a  finer  tone  than  ever,  through  the  rich 
mercy  of  that  Redeemer  whose  power  and  goodness 
have  been  so  resplendently  displayed  in  healing  all 
my  diseases  and  redeeming  my  life  from  destruc- 
tion. The  peaceful  state  of  my  mind,  and  my  pros- 
pects of  futurity,  are  beyond  description;  and  I  now 
look  forward  with  ineffable  delight,  accompanied 
with  a  brilliant  hope  that  I  shall  be  enabled  to 
spend  the  remainder  of  my  days  on  earth  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God,  and  to  be  with  him  for 
ever  in  heaven. 

Maech  14.  The  rich  mercy  of  God  has  permit- 
ted me  to  see  another  birthday,  after  struggling  for 
seven  years  against  a  most  fatal  evil;  and  although 
his  goodness  has  prevented  my  being  cut  down  as 
a  cumberer  of  the  ground,  yet  how  many  have  en- 
tered the  gates  of  death  by  the  very  same  path  from 
which,  by  the  most  astonishing  mercy,  He  has  res- 


80  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

cued  my  soul.  I  deeply  lament  that  lny  gratitude 
bears  so  little  proportion  to  his  goodness ;  and  the 
more  particularly  when  the  contrast  is  so  very  and 
so  awfully  striking  between  my  present  condition 
and  the  fate  of  my  old  companions.  My  eaily 
friends   snatched    away,    and    gone  —  where?      J. 

S ,  my  bosom-friend,  died  at  thirty-six — gone  ; 

J.  T died  suddenly,  in  a  shocking  state  of  dis- 
ease, at  fort}' — victims  of  intemperance.     My  old 

companion  Lieut.  E. ,  wild  and  intemperate,  cut 

off  at  thirty-one.     J.  S at  thirty  went  the  same 

dreadful  path  to  death.  T.  K ,  paralytic,  be- 
ginning in  intemperance,  died  at  thirty-nine.     W. 

C at  twenty-eight,  the  same.     J.  P ,  a  man 

whom  one  would  call  excellent  at  times,  died  raving 
mad  from  intemperance,  at  forty-two.     Why  was  it 

not  my  fate  ?     T.  E ,  whom  I  often  envied  for 

his  sobriety,  became  so  much  the  victim  of  intem- 
perance as  to  be  removed  to  a  mad-house,  where  ho 
now  lies,  insane.  And  yet  I,  the  most  unworthy  of 
all,  I  am  preserved  to  tell  the  dismal  tale.  And  not 
only  these  my  companions  have  fallen,  but  others 
also,  with  whom  I  joined  in  the  midnight  revel,  are 
reduced  to  bcggaiy,  and  are  now  wandering  about 
in  misery  and  contempt.  I  feel  deeply  on  their 
account, 

"And  fain  my  pity  would  reclaim, 
And  snatch  the  firebrand  from  the  flame  ; 
But  feeble  my  compassion  proves." 

e  but  God! 

July  19.    Blessed  be  God  that  a  whole  year  has 
now  passed  away  since  I  tasted  any  tiling  stronger 


EMANCIPATION.  87 

than  table-beer.  And  yet  I  desire  to  look  back  with 
humble  sorrow  that  even  table-beer  was  too  strong 
for  me  in  November  last.  But  again  I  desire  to 
rejoice  in  the  strength  of  that  grace  which  has  ena- 
bled me  to  give  up  what  I  was  so  exceedingly  fond 
o£  I  cannot,  I  will  not  restrain  the  rejoicing  of  my 
heart  and  soul  in  consequence  of  the  goodness  of 
my  redeeming  God  in  removing  one  propensity 
after  another,  to  make  way  for  my  more  complete 
enjoyment  of  his  blessed  self.  Had  I  all  the  pow- 
ers of  all  the  finest  orators  upon  the  earth,  I  could 
not  describe  the  inward  joy  that  I  feel  in  being 
brought  to  love  my  God.  When  my  feet  were  first 
turned  from  the  ways  of  sin,  I  was  exceedingly  anx- 
ious to  know  what  the  world  thought  of  me,  but 
now  I  seem  only  concerned  to  live  in  close  union 
with  Christ  my  Lord,  through  the  sanctifying  influ- 
ences of  his  Holy  Spirit.  I  am  indeed  a  brand 
plucked  from  the  burning  of  hell,  and  now  my  soul 
burns  towards  the  living  God.  The  being  saved 
from  the  power  of  my  former  habits  causes  this 
great  exultation ;  and  now  that,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  I  am  enabled  to  live  to  his  praise  in  the  bo- 
som of  my  family  and  before  the  world,  I  find  my 
heart  filled  with  ineffable  delight  in  being  myself 
brought  out  to  speak  to  his  faithfulness,  who  has 
declared  that  he  willeth  not  the  death  of  a  sinner. 
My  appetite  for  holy  things  increases.  I  love  the 
[ii  sople  of  God,  and  it  is  my  delight  to  open  mv 
house  and  heart  to  receive  his  ministers.  Daily  do 
I  delight  to  study  the  Scriptures,  and  I  feel  an  in- 
creasing desire  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  whole 


88  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

counsel  of  God,  that  I  may,  in  my  poor  way,  be  at 
all  times  ready  to  give  an  answer  to  myself  and  to 
others.  I  have  also  abundant  reason  to  rejoice  in 
the  goodness  of  God  in  making  all  my  enemies  to 
be  at  peace  with  me,  and  in  continuing  to  me  the 
friendship  of  good  men.  He  also  condescends  to 
make  me  useful  to  others,  and  to  dispose  my  heart 
to  support  his  cause  to  some  considerable  extent, 
although  it  is  grief  to  me  that  I  have  not  a  pocket 
equal  to  my  desires.  These  things,  my  dear  chil- 
dren, I  write  for  your  example,  entreating  you  al- 
ways to  be  liberal  towards  God,  and  never  withdraw 
your  hand  from  doing  good.  God  will  assuredly 
bless  you  most  abundantly;  I  am  his  witness.  You 
will  have  many  difficulties,  but  the  greatest  of  all 
will  be  the  opposition  of  your  own  heart  to  the 
ways  of  God ;  yet  all  these  things,  which  are  the 
lions,  the  grace  of  God  can  surmount.  Remember 
your  poor  father.  Remember  how  he  used  to  kneel 
with  you,  morning  and  evening,  in  prayer  to  God, 
and  how  he  used  to  join  with  you  in  repeating 
hymns,  and  in  singing,  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all 
blessings  flow."  Remember  these  things,  and  do  not 
forget  that  your  father  was  once  averse  to  all  such 
engagements,  till  the  grace  of  God  enabled  him  to 
fight  every  battle,  and  to  conquer — for  his  glory, 
the  glory  of  the  Lord. 

July  28.  The  Rev.  J.  Liefchild  and  the  Rev.  J. 
Siatterie  supped  and  slept  at  my  house. 

Sept.  23.  Had  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  six 
ministers  this  evening:  namely,  G.  Border,  J.  Siat- 
terie, J.  Roffe,  J.  Chapman,  G.  Bcntliff,  and  E.  Jen* 


EMANCIPATION.  89 

kins,  and  I  felt  it  a  delightful  honor  to  enter taiu 
so  many  servants  of  my  Lord.  What  a  wonderful 
change  has  the  Almighty  made  in  my  heart  and 
mind,  that  it  should  bo  my  greatest  delight  tc>  min  • 
gle  with  those  persons  whom  I  formerly  despised, 
at  least  despised  their  holy  conversation. 

I  often  look  back  with  astonishment  at  my  pre- 
sumption in  engaging  in  public  prayer  at  Worces- 
ter, and  I  now  tremble  at  every  temptation  of  my 
own  mind  even  to  think  of  engaging  in  such  a  man- 
ner again.  My  place  is  to  be  still,  and  see  and 
hear. 

Jan.  14,  1820.    Temptation — a  flattering  one. 

This  day  J.  B gave  a  dinner  to  a  select  party 

of  eight  gentlemen,  and  invited  me  to  be  one  of  the 
number.  The  invitation  was  highly  flattering  to 
me.  There  were  also  some  peculiar  circumstances 
respecting  this  dinner,  in  which  I  was  principally 
concerned,  by  having  been  the  instrument  of  effect- 
ing a  reconciliation  between  two  of  the  persons  in- 
vited; but  I  declined,  stating  that  I  never  drank 
wine,  and  therefore  could  not  sit  at  table  with  any 
comfort  where  the  party  were  to  meet  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  enjoying  a  glass  of  wine  together. 

Mr.  B urged  his  request  by  saying  that  if  I 

would  only  favor  him  with  my  presence,  I  should 
be  allowed  to  drink  nothing  but  milk  and  water ; 
and  this  he  urged  with  so  much  good-nature,  that 
it  seemed  hard  to  refuse,  and  I  told  him  I  would 
consider  the  matter  and  send  him  an  answer.  I 
instantly  repaired  to  my  closet,  and  kneeling  before 
a  throne  of  mercy,  entreated  power  from  God  to 


f>0  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

withstand  this  temptation,  half  inclined  to  yield 
Satan  had  finely  gilded  this  invitation  by  the  insin- 
uation that  my  company  was  so  much  esteemed, 
that  if  I  would  but  join  the  party,  they  would  excuse 
my  drinking  wine.  The  snare  did  not  take.  The 
Lord  was  my  defence,  strength  was  given  me  to 
stand  fast  for  the  honor  of  Christ,  and  1  wrote  Mr. 
B a  polite  note,  stating  that  I  could  not  over- 
come the  obstacle  to  my  accepting  his  polite  invi- 
tation. Blessed  be  God,  who  giveth  power  to  the 
faint. 

I  was  tempted  in  the  same  kind  of  way  about 
four  months  ago  to  dine  with  the  grand-jury,  when 
I  was  one  of  that  body,  and  the  temptation  was 
strong  from  within  as  well  as  outwardly,  and  I  be- 
gan to  reason  with  myself,  but  started  as  from  a 
dream,  and  mentally  exclaimed,  "  No,  Lord,  no;  and 
for  thine  own  honor  I  pray  thee  give  me  strength 
to  resist  every  solicitation."  I  quitted  the  party 
and  sat  down  to  dinner  with  my  own  family ;  but  I 
had  not  been  seated  five  minutes  when  the  foreman 
called  for  me  to  accompany  him  to  the  dinner.  He 
was  astonished  at  my  refusal,  and  went  away  de- 
claring that  he  would  levy  a  fine  for  my  non-attend- 
ance, which  was  accordingly  done,  and  I  escaped 
as  a  bird  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler.  Blessed  be 
God ! 

March  14.  The  eighth  return  of  that  memorablo 
day  in  which  God  was  pleased  to  commence  his 
work  in  my  soul.  He  has  mercifully  kept  alive  his, 
love  in  my  heart,  and  my  bodily  health  and  tempo- 
ral comforts  have  been  uninterrupted  since  my  last 


EMANCIPATION.  91 

birthday.  I  have  also  experienced  much  delight  in 
the  daily  study  of  the  Bible,  committing  to  memory 
twenty-rive  hymns,  with  seven  of  the  prose  psalms--- 
27,  34,  51, 103,  11G,  121,  139— and  these  were  quite 
a  treasure  to  me,  either  in  walking  or  in  retirement, 
so  that  my  religious  stock  is  much  enriched  with 
knowledge  truly  precious.  My  desire  after  heav- 
enly things  has  likewise  considerably  increased,  and 
instead  of  God  being  never  in  my  thoughts,  as  in 
former  times,  he  is  now  always  in  my  affections, 
whether  at  my  desk  or  at  any  other  employment. 
Iu deed  his  mercy  is  so  great  in  giving  me  power  to 
resist  temptation,  that  I  conceive  it  to  be  impossi- 
ble for  human  language  to  express  my  love  towards 
him,  or  my  fervent  desire  to  be  holy ;  and  yet,  with 
all  these  gifts,  I  tremble  more  than  ever  I  have 
done  before  through  fear  that. I  may  do  or  speak, 
or  even  think,  any  thing  that  should  bring  dishonor 
upon  his  blessed  name,  a  name  more  dear  to  my 
soul  than  ever.  Many  talk  of  the  great  merit  due 
to  myself  for  giving  up  every  kind  of  liquor  and 
abstaining  from  company,  but  this  is  a  sort  of  blas- 
phemy to  my  ears,  and  I  never  allow  any  person  to 
leave  my  presence  without  warmly  declaring  that 
the  whole  work  is  the  work  of  God  alone,  by  whose 
strength  and  grace,  shed  abroad  in  my  heart,  all 
these  blessings  are  maintained.  "I  will  praise  thee, 
O  Lord ;  for  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  the 
lowest  hell."  I  may  indeed  say  from  the  lowest  hell 
when  I  consider  my  former  miserable  state.  So 
dreadful  was  the  effect  of  intoxication  upon  my 
body,  that  my  face  and  eyes  srfter  a  fit  remained  so 


92  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

swollen  and  disfigured  as  to  be  truly  frightful  even 
to  myself     My  hands  and  fingers  were  also  hard 
and  stiff,  my  beard  grown  long  and  hard,  and  more 
like  the  hair  of  a  horse  than  a  human  creature 
My  mind  full  of  horror  and  the  most  dismal  appre- 
hensions, temper  irritable  and  irritated  at  the  hast 
noise  or  movement;  body  fall  of  agony  and  entirely 
sleepless  for  several  days  and  nights  together,  wan- 
dering from  room  to  room  with  feelings  of  anguish 
and  despair,  attended  with  dreadful  temptations  to 
commit  suicide,  that  the  world  might  be  ridden  of 
such  a  monster.     A  man  was  kept  in  the  house  for 
three  months  to  watch  me  at  every  step  and  to  sup- 
ply my  wants.     All  my  former  sins  harrowed  up  my 
soul,  accompanied  with  temptations  to  doubt  the 
power  and  willingness  of  God  to  forgive  so  great  a 
rebel.     This  is  but  a  faint  picture  of  the  fulness  of 
trouble  brought  upon  one  who  seemed  lost  beyond 
hope.     The  exceeding  riches  of  the  mercy  of  God 
shone  forth  and  rescued  me  from  the  iron  hand  of 
Satan,  and  brought  me  out  with  a  victorious  arm  as 
a  monument  of  the  power  of  divine  grace.     "  Oh  to 
grace  how  great  a  debtor !" 

My  dear  wife  was  now  made  completely  happy. 
She  had  faithfully  and  tenderly  watched  over  me, 
and  instead  of  uttering  reproaches,  only  reproached 
me  by  her  tears,  and  still  encouraged  me  not  to  de- 
spair, as  she  considered  that  I  was  sincerely  desir- 
ous to  conquer  my  besetting  sin.  She  was  incessant 
likewise  in  her  applications  at  the  throne  of  mercy, 
praying  even  against  hope.  The  Lord  heard  her 
cries  and  mine  also  •  and  with  a  hand  all  divine 


EMANCIPATION  93 

snatched  me  from  the  arms  of  Satan  to  erect  a  fam- 
ily altar  to  his  praise  and  glory.  I  Avas  formerly 
termed  a  good  singer  and  a  jovial  fellow,  which  fre- 
quently led  me  into  dissipation.  But  now,  blessed 
be  God,  I  sing  the  songs  of  Zion,  and  have  strength 
given  me  to  reject  every  invitation  to  join  tho  social 
board,  and  am  more  respected  than  ever,  even  by 
the  persons  with  whom  I  refuse  to  associate.  My 
bodily  health  is  also  superlatively  good,  being  free 
from  every  kind  of  pain  or  disease,  having  at  all 
times  an  excellent  appetite,  and  confining  myself  to 
plain  food,  and  never  drinking  any  other  liquors 
than  tea,  coffee,  milk  and  water,  or  toast  and  water. 
Thus  has  a  merciful  God  completely  changed  my 
appetite  as  well  as  my  inordinate  desires,  and  he 
has  made  me  to  be  the  happiest  man  in  the  world. 
Blessed  be  his  name. 

Sept.  30.  I  have  made  it  a  constant  rule,  for  the 
last  eighteen  months,  never  to  quit  the  shop,  when 
it  has  been  closed  at  night,  without  kneeling  and 
expressing  hearty  thanks  to  God  for  his  gracious 
care  over  me ;  and  I  never  quit  my  room,  when  I  go 
at  eleven  o'clock  to  dress  and  shave,  without  kneel- 
ing before  the  throne  to  return  thanks  for  preser- 
vation to  such  part  of  the  day,  and  to  implore  a 
continuance  of  divine  aid  for  the  remainder ;  for  I 
feel  myself  so  very  weak  and  so  liable  to  sin,  that  I 
dare  not  trust  myself  even  for  a  moment. 

Oct.  6.  I  have  been  thinking,  should  I  die  this 
day,  what  are  my  prospects  of  futurity,  ami  should 
I  live  many  years,  what  do  I  expect  to  obtain  from 
&  life  of  holiness  as  a  merit/    If  I  could  attain  to 


94  JOnN    VINE    HALL. 

the  holiness  of  an  archangel,  still  the  blood  of  the 
Soti  of  God  must  be  my  only  plea,  my  only  trust; 
therefore,  if  I  am  not  safe  in  Jesus  now,  even  at 
this  moment,  I  cannot  expect  that  any  advance  in 
holiness  will  entitle  me  to  a  place  in  heaven  as  a 
reward.  All,  all  must  be  of  the  free  mercy  of  God, 
in  and  through  and  for  the  sake  of  his  beloved  Son, 
who  shed  his  blood  for  me  individually  as  well  as 
for  the  whole  world.  These  are  my  present  pros- 
pects, and  Christ  is  all  my  trust.  But  shall  I  not 
fall  again  into  my  besetting  sin  ?  No.  Although  1 
feel  my  weakness,  yet  the  promise  of  God  is  my 
support.  He  will  not  forsake  the  work  of  his  own 
hand.  The  honor  of  Christ  is  also  on  my  side,  a 
strong  defence,  and  my  hearty  love  to  Christ  and 
to  his  cause  is  also  another  defence.  Christ  is  also 
my  Shepherd,  to  protect  me  against  the  assaults  (it 
my  foe;  and  yet  with  all  this  I  feel  it  every  moment 
necessary  to  cherish  the  apostle's  admonition,  "  Let 
him  that  thinketh  he  staiideth,  take  heed  lest  he 
fall." 

Christmas  day.  How  many  mercies  have  we  to 
thank  thee  for,  O  Lord.  This  day  our  aged  mother 
passed  the  day  with  us  in  happiness  and  comfort, 
surrounded  by  our  children.  After  dinner  we  sang, 
"  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,"  and 
then  we  repeated  hymns  in  rotation,  beginning  with 
myself,  my  dear  wife,  down  to  the  youngest  thai 
could  speak,  even  our  Eleanor,  who,  though  only 
two  years  and  a  half  old,  could  repeat  three  or  fom 
hymns  in  a  very  pretty  manner.  Oh,  it  was  delight- 
ful to  hear  a  whole  family  engaged  in  praising  our 


EMANCIPATION.  05 

glorious  God  for  bis  infinite  mercy  in  preserving 
our  feet  in  the  path  to  heaven.  May  wo  all  press 
forward  to  the  end. 

Sunday,  Jan.  14,  1821.  Why  am  I  permitted  to 
hail  with  joy  the  opening  of  this  day,  and  to  feel  an 
ardent  desire  to  go  to  the  house  of  my  God  that  I 
may  worship  him  with  a  grateful  and  contrite  spirit  ? 
Why  am  I  not  now  lying  on  yonder  couch,  as  afore- 
time, in  a  state  of  intoxication  and  madness,  dis- 
graceful and  disgusting?  Why  is  all  this  change, 
all  this  reverse  ?  It  is  because  the  compassions  of 
my  God  fail  not.  Why  is  it  delightful  thus  alone 
to  meditate  on  the  blessed  expectation  which  my 
God  hath  given  me  of  a  happy  immortality,  mixed 
with  a  fervent  desire  to  honor  him  in  all  my  ways  ? 
It  is  because  he  hath  blotted  out  my  sins,  for  his 
own  name's  sake,  that  in  me,  as  well  as  in  Paul,  yes, 
even  in  me,  He  might  show  forth  all  long-suffering, 
and  exhibit  his  sovereign  power  over  the  heart  of 
the  stoutest  rebel  that  ever  was  turned  from  the 
path  of  sin  to  delight  in  the  Lord  his  God.  Dear 
Jesus,  it  is  to  thy  sacrifice  that  I  am  indebted  for 
all  the  happiness  that  surrounds  me,  and  for  that 
lively  hope  which  ever  lives  within  me.  Oh  help 
me  to  live  to  thy  glory. 

Jan.  17.    Went  to  see  poor  Mr.  B .     Found 

him  lying  in  bed  in  a  most  drePidful  state  from  re- 
cent intoxication,  a  living  picture  of  what  I  once 
was.  Poured  out  my  heart  in  thankfulness  to  God 
for  his  unspeakable  mercy  and  forbearance  towards 
myself  in  having  raised  me  up  from  the  depths  of 
hell  and  granting  deliverance  from  my  dreadful  foe. 


96  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

Entreated  the  Lord  to  have  mercy  on  poor  B , 

and  raise  him  up  to  become  a  monument  of  sparing 
mercy.  Warned,  exhorted,  and  encouraged  him  still 
to  trust  iu  God.     Told  him  that  millions  of  sinnerp 

who  were  once  in  as  bad  a  state  had  been  recov- 
ered. Desired  him  to  look  at  myself,  who  had 
been  worse  than  lie  had  ever  been,  though  now  a 
wondrous  monument  of  the  power  of  the  grace  of 
God.     Bade  him  look  up  with  lively  hope. 

Jan.  20.    Mr.  B called  on  me  this  morning 

in  a  state  of  deep  penitence,  and  quite  recovered. 
He  was  full  of  sorrow,  and  expressed  determination 
to  set  out  again  in  the  ways  of  God.     Said  he  whs 

sorely  tempted  at  J.  M 's,  but  resisted  every 

solicitation. 

March  14.  Birthday.  This  day  commences  my 
fort}'-eighth  year,  under  brighter  and  happier  pros- 
pects than  any  former  year  of  my  life.  May  I  not 
then  call  upon  my  soul  to  bless  God's  holy  name  ? 
This  morning  I  renew  my  covenant  with  my  God, 
and  call  upon  him  to  take  me  under  the  shadow  of 
his  wings,  and  grant  me  strength  to  walk  before  his 
face  in  happy  obedience  and  cheerful  confidence, 
trusting  solely  in  the  sacrifice  of  my  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour Jesus  Christ. 

April  24.  This  being  a  remarkably  fine  morn- 
ing, my  dear  Mary,  self,  and  children,  went  down 
the  river  in  a  boat,  and  we  sang  "  Praise  God"  over 
the  very  spot  where  I  once  fell  into  the  water,  twenty 
feet  dec]».  ami  escaped  with  my  life. 

May  22.  As  soon  as  I  alighted  from  the  coach 
in  London,  I  stepped  aside  and  mentally  thanked  a 


EMANCIPATION.  97 

gracious  God  for  bis  protection,  and  entreated  he 
would  keep  me  from  all  kind  of  sin.  When  I  ar- 
rived at  home,  I  stepped  into  the  churchyard  before 
going  to  my  own  house,  and  then  poured  out  my 
heart  to  God  in  thankfulness  for  having  protected 
me  throughout  the  day,  and  for  having  enabled  mo, 
by  his  powerful  grace,  to  go  to  London  and  back 
again  without  tasting  any  kind  of  refreshment  on 
the  road,  and  drinking  only  a  glass  of  water,  except 
breakfast,  all  the  time  I  was  in  London. 

Mrs.  S of  Strood  is  a  remarkable  instance 

of  the  goodness  of  God  towards  me  in  favoring  my 
exertions  to  render  service  to  others.  About  twenty 
years  ago  she  lived  in  Maidstone  as  under-servanfc, 
and  having  been  ill-treated,  she  made  her  complaint 
to  me,  which  prompted  me  instantly  to  insert  an 
advertisement  in  the  paper  for  a  housekeeper's  sit- 
uation.    In  consequence  of  this  she  was  engaged 

as  housekeeper  to  the  late  T.  S ,  Esq.     Her 

conduct  was  so  exemplary  that  within  two  years  he 
made  her  an  offer  of  marriage,  which  she  accepted, 
and  became  the  wife  of  a  man  possessed  of  two 

thousand  a  year  in  landed  property.      Mr.  S 

died  about  fom*  years  ago,  and  bequeathed  to  his 
widow  five  hundred  pounds  per  year  during  her 
life.  Mrs.  S very  lately  acknowledged  her  ob- 
ligations to  my  instrumentality.  I  thank  God  for 
this  great  instance  of  his  goodness,  and  desire  to 
say,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  "Not  unto  me,  0 
Lord,  but  unto  thyself  be  all  the  praise." 

Providence.   I  had  been  walking  by  the  side  of 
the  river,  and  having  arrived  at  the  place  where  a 

lohn  Vino  Hall.  5 


98  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

poor  widow  resided  who  bad  received  me  into  her 
house  in  July,  1818,  at  the  time  that  I  was  close  to 
the  water,  and  insensible  from  drinking,  I  was  in- 
duced to  call  and  see  the  person  who  had  kindly 
sheltered  me.  She  was  at  the  washing-tub  hard  at 
work,  but  exceedingly  dejected,  and  shed  tears  as  T 
approached  her.  I  found  that  she  had  been  hard 
pressed  for  repayment  of  two  pounds  which  she  had 
borrowed  and  was  not  able  to  pay,  and  being  threat- 
ened by  the  lender,  she  was  greatly  distressed.  I 
told  her  that  I  saw  the  hand  of  God  most  clearly 
in  directing  me  to  her  house  at  such  a  crisis.  The 
poor  creature's  countenance  soon  became  brighter, 
and  I  thanked  God  for  having  enabled  me  to  re- 
pay the  kindness  I  had  experienced  from  this  poor 
woman. 


"THE    SINNER'S   FRIEND."  Hi) 


CHAPTER  V. 

"THE   SINNER'S  FRIEND." 

"The  Sinner's  Friend."  March  1,  1821.  Re- 
flecting upon  the  astonishing  goodness  of  God  tow- 
ards such  a  great  sinner  as  myself,  and  considering 
how  much  benefit  and  encouragement  I  had  received 
froni  the  perusal  of  "  Bogatzky's  Golden  Treasury," 
I  felt  deeply  concerned  that  books  of  this  nature 
were  not  more  easily  attainable  by  the  poor.  It 
was  suggested  to  my  mind  that  a  small  selection 
might  be  made  from  this  valuable  little  work,  and 
distributed  at  a  low  price,  or  gratis,  throughout  the 
town  of  Maidstone,  whereby  it  might  please  the 
Lord  to  awaken  or  encourage  the  downcast  to  seek 
for  mercy.  I  determined  to  set  about  the  work,  but 
was  immediately  deterred  by  the  fear  of  having 
been  led  to  think  of  this  plan  more  for  my  own 
honor  than  for  the  glory  of  my  God.  This  harassed 
me  considerably,  and  the  more  I  felt  desirous  of 
prosecuting  my  plan,  the  more  I  became  fearful  of 
indulging  self-complacency.  I  hesitated  several 
days,  and  finding  that  I  could  not  overcome  the 
first  suggestion,  I  made  it  a  matter  of  fervent  prayer 
to  be  directed  how  to  act.  After  struggling  three 
weeks,  I  was  brought  to  a  resolution  to  make  a 
small  selection  of  the  most  encouraging  portions 
from  Bogatzky  and  print  them  as  a  tract.   I  thought 


100  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

half  a  sheet,  containing  sixteen  portions,  would  be 
sufficient,  and  for  this  purpose  I  selected  about  fifty 
of  the  choicest,  from  which  I  intended  to  cull  out 
sixteen;  but  when  I  had  proceeded  thus  fax,  I  found 
that  so  many  good  portions  still  remained  behind, 
that  I  could  not  bring  myself  to  give  them  up ; 
therefore  I  extended  my  views  from  half  a  sheet  to 
a  whole  sheet.  Again  and  again  I  prayed  the  Lord 
to  take  the  whole  matter  into  his  own  hand,  and 
root  out  of  my  heart  every  disposition  contrary  to 
his  honor  and  glory. 

Having  fixed  upon  thirty  portions  from  Bogatz- 
ky,  I  wrote  two  portions  myself  by  way  of  introduc- 
tion, being  the  first  and  second,  ami  put  the  whole 
to  press*  At  first  I  thought  of  printing  only  five 
hundred  copies;  but  considering  that  if  I  should 
find  this  number  insufficient,  I  should  have  much  to 
regret  after  the  press  should  have  been  broken  up, 
I  resolved  upon  printing  a  thousand,  which  were 
completed  on  the  29th  of  May,  when  my  little  book 
appeared,  in  a  neat,  blue  cover,  bearing  the  title  of 
"The  Sinner's  Friend."  I  was  now  puzzled  to 
know  in  what  manner  to  get  them  into  circulation, 
as  I  wished  to  do  it  as  secretly  as  possible,  having 
never  mentioned  the  circumstance  to  any  person. 

May  29.  This  morning,  with  an  anxious  heart, 
and  having  first  entreated  of  the  Lord  wisdom  and 
discretion,  I  set  out  to  distribute  my  little  book.    1 

*  From  time  to  time  the  compiler  of  "The  Shiner's  Friend" 
wrote  a  page  and  substituted  it  for  one  of  those  originally  extract 
ed  from  Bogatzky,  until  at  length  it  was  almost  entirely  his  own 
work. 


"THE    SINNER'S   FRIEND."  101 

put  throe  dozen  into  my  pocket,  and  proceeded  over 
the  bridge  towards  the  houses  of  the  poor  in  West 

Borough,  and  the  first  person  I  met  was  Mr.  F , 

who  had  been  an  old  associate  at  cards  and  dissi- 
pation, to  whom  I  presented  the  first  cop}-.  I  then 
walked  up  to  the  houses,  but  had  not  courage  to 
open  a  single  door ;  and  while  I  stood  pondering 
what  to  do,  a  poor  woman  approached,  leading  a 
little  child.  I  plucked  up  courage  and  requested 
her  to  accept  a  little  book,  which  she  received  with 
an  expression  of  countenance  that  led  me  to  think 
she  knew  the  truth,  ancT  she  kindly  undertook  to 
deliver  ten  copies  to  her  neighbors.  I  was  pleased 
with  this  beginning,  and  thanked  God  for  it.  I 
then  went  under  the  cliff  and  left  four  copies  at 
three  poor  houses,  and  from  thence  I  went  to  the 
top  of  Stone-street,  and  gave  twenty-four  copies  at 
different  houses,  including  four  to  strangers  whom 
I  met  on  the  road.  I  prayed  the  Lord  to  bless 
them  to  poor  sinners.  I  returned  home  and  replen- 
ished myself,  and  left  six  copies  at  each  of  eight 
little  shops,  to  be  disposed  of  at  threepence  each ; 
and  to  encourage  the  people  to  put  them  into  their 
windows,  I  gave  them  the  books  to  sell  for  their 
own  benefit. 

I  had  not  returned  home  more  than  half  an  hour, 
when  a  stranger  came  with  one  of  the  books  in  his 
hand,  which  he  had  purchased  at  one  of  the  places 
where  I  had  left  them  for  sale,  and  requested  to 
have  a  dozen,  which  I  gave  him,  but  refused  to  take 
any  thing  for  them,  stating  that  I  was  authorized  to 
distribute  them  gratis. 


102  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

June  2.  This  evening  being  Sat  unlay,  I  walked 
to  and  fro  upon  the  Banning  road,  and  distributed 
twenty-two  copies  among  the  poor  people  returning 
from  market.  I  havo  thus  disposed  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty-nine  copies  in  various  ways.  Some  I 
tli  row  into  the  houses  where  I  found  the  door  or 
windows  open,  and  left  them  to  the  mercy  of  God 
to  bless  them  to  the  inmates. 

June  5.  This  morning  a  poor  old  woman  inquired 
for  the  gentleman  who  had  given  away  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend"  at  the  different  houses.  She  said 
that  a  neighbor  had  lent  her  one  of  them,  which  she 
had  read,  and  she  should  be  thankful  to  procure 
one  for  herself.  She  said  it  was  a  sweet  book.  J 
asked  her  how  she  came  to  think  so.  She  replied, 
"  Because  she  was  a  sinner,  and  it  just  suited  her." 
Miss  E picked  up  one  of  the  books  in  the  pas- 
sage leading  into  her  uncle's  house,  and  was  sur- 
prised at  finding  it  there.  Supposed  some  travel- 
ling bookseller  must  have  left  it,  but  she  could  not 
imagine  how  the  man  should  know  that  she  was  a 
sinner ;  said  the  book  just  suited  her  case,  and  she 
would  not  part  with  it  for  any  money. 

June  9.  I  disposed  of  thirty-five  at  the  poor 
houses  behind  Week-street.  In  one  of  these  saw 
three  hearty  children  sleeping  on  the  hearthstone 
before  the  fireplace,  huddled  together  with  their 
arms  around  each  other's  necks.  The  father  and 
mother  were  out  at  work,  and  had  left  the  two 
youngest,  three  and  four  years  old,  under  the  care 
of  the  eldest,  about  eight  years  old.  It  was  now 
afternoon,  and  they  had  not  had  any  food  since  the 


"THE    SINNER'S    ERIEND."  103 

morning,  and  did  not  expect  to  have  any  till  theii 
father  and  mother  came  homo  at  night.  While  the 
eldest  was  telling  me  this  tale,  the  youngest  cried 
out  to  me,  "More  dinney."  Poor  little  creatures! 
The  eldest  boy  said  that  his  father  worked  on 
Penenden  heath  from  morning  till  night,  and  his 
mother  at  the  paper-mill ;  that  himself  and  broth- 
ers were  left  at  home  all  day,  and  had  only  a  bit  of 
bread  in  the  morning  and  the  same  at  night.  Gave 
the  eldest  sufficient  to  purchase  a  loaf  of  bread  and 
cheese,  and  away  they  all  scampered  to  the  chand- 
ler's shop. 

June  14.  Gave  eight  to  Mr.  P- ,  who  said  that 

a  person  who  had  seen  one  of  them,  had  been  led 
to  make  inquiry  for  the  way  of  salvation  in  conse- 
quence of  being  alarmed  at  what  he  read  in  "  The 
Sinner's  Friend."  As  my  little  book  was  now  in- 
quired for,  and  as  many  persons  expressed  their 
comfort  from  having  perused  it,  I  found  it  neces- 
sary to  pray  for  a  humble,  watchful  spirit,  that  I 
might  not  be  led  away  by  any  notions  that  I  had 
done  any  thing  of  myself,  and  I  told  all  the  people 
to  give  their  thanks  to  God,  and  not  to  me. 

June  16.   Saw  Mary  S ,  who  said  she  had 

received  a  book  called  "  The  Sinner's  Friend," 
sealed  up  and  directed.  She  said  that  when  sho 
read  the  words,  "Sinner,  this  little  book  is  for  you," 
she  felt  hurt,  and  thought  it  was  an  insult ;  but 
when  she  read  the  contents,  she  was  convinced  that 
the  book  was  sent  to  her  from  the  best  of  motives, 
and  that  she  intended  coming  to  chapel  to  hear  Mr. 
Jenkins  preach.     I  now  began  to  be  very  thankful 


104  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

that  I  had  not  been  so  narrow-minded  as  to  print 
only  five  hundred  copies. 

July  20.  Having  now  disposed  of  all  my  copies 
of  "The  Sinner's  Friend,"  I  desire  most  humbly 
and  most  heartily  to  bless  my  God  for  all  his  mercy 
towards  me,  and  to  entreat  a  constant  supply  of 
grace  to  keep  me  ever  watchful  against  pride,  self- 
sufficiency,  and  complacency,  on  account  of  having 
been  employed  in  his  blessed  service. 

Nov.  13.  The  second  edition,  two  thousand  cop- 
ies, of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  was  published  this 
day. 

Four  copies  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  dropped 
in  the  street,  and  saw  them  picked  up  by  laboring 
men   going   home   from   market.      Twelve   to  Mr. 

M ,  a  most  notorious  blasphemer   about   two 

years  ago,  but  he  has  become  a  wonderful  instance 
of  the  transforming  power  of  divine  grace.  He 
told  me  that  he  had  given  one  to  a  swearing  man 
at  Stilebridge  at  the  very  moment  he  was  pouring 
forth  the  most  horrid  imprecations.  The  man  took 
the  book  in  his  hand,  looked  earnestly  at  the  title, 
paused,  heaved  a  deep  sigh,  and  instead  of  letting 
loose  a  volley  of  oaths,  he  tremblingly  said,  "  I  am 
sure  there  is  something  good  in  this  book,  and  I 
shall  keep  it  for  your  sake ;"  and  then  with  great 
emotion  he  added,  "  I  shall  never  forget  you." 

Six  to  my  friend  N on  a  visit  at  my  house 

which  gave  me  an  opportunity  of  entreating  her  to 
seek  the  Lord  with  the  fullest  purpose  of  heart. 

Four  to  a  poor  woman  who  had  repeatedly  ob- 
tained them  to  distribute  among  her  poor  acquaint- 


"THE    SINNER'S    FRIEND."  105 

ances.     Three  to  H ,  and  conversed  with  him 

on  the  necessity  of  seeking  the  Lord. 

New  edition  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  Through 
the  mercy  of  God,  I  have  been  allowed  to  publish  a 
new  edition — three  thousand  copies — of  "  The  Sin- 
ner s  Friend,"  and  having  already  had  the  pleasure 
of  distributing  upwards  of  three  thousand  copies 
gratuitously,  I  propose  to  sell  the  present  edit  ion 
at  or  about  prime  cost. 

Three  days'  journey  to  France.  Distributed 
"  The  Sinner's  Friend"  to  sailors  belonging  to  the 
pier  at  Dover ;  to  a  lady  and  gentleman  at  the  inn, 
and  spoke  to  them  on  the  mercy  of  God  ;  to  a  gen- 
tleman on  board  the  packet-boat ;  thrown  into  the 
cabin ;  to  a  lady  at  Calais ;  to  the  minister  at  Ca- 
lais, etc. 

John  Akhent  called  to  remind  me  that  four  years 
ago  I  had  given  him  six  copies,  one  of  which  was 
made  useful  to  his  poor  mother,  who  was  then  in 
great  grief  on  account  of  her  eldest  son  having  been 
killed  by  an  accident.  At  this  time  she  read  the 
portion  on  the  eighth  page,  "Despair  not,"  etc., 
and  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  bless  it  to  her  soul. 

Thirteen  to  a  wagoner's  mate,  James  Crouch  of 
Staplehurst.  This  lad,  seventeen  years  old,  came 
to  purchase  a  copy  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  which 
gave  me  an  opportunity  of  speaking  to  him  on  the 
way  of  salvation,  and  I  was  delighted  to  find  this 
humble  peasant  in  his  round  frock  rejoicing  in  the 

Lord.     Fifty  to  Mrs.  "W ,  the  woman  who  keeps 

the  entrance  to  the  castle  at  Hastings,  to  dispose  of 
to  visitors  who  go  to  inspect  the  ruins.     She  wrote 


10G  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

me  requesting  a  few  more  copies,  as  she  had  dis- 
posed of  those  left  her  by  my  dear  wife  a  few  weeks 
ago.  How  merciful  is  the  Lord  to  open  this  new 
way  of  placing  "  The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  the  hands 
of  persons  visiting  the  castle. 

Six  to  a  poor  lame  man,  and  preached  the  Loi  d 
Jesus  to  him  with  energy  and  fire.  The  poor  man 
was  exceedingly  thankful.  Four  to  a  poor  dumb 
woman.  There  was  something  exceedingly  inter- 
esting in  this  case.  This  poor  creature,  a  stranger, 
came  into  the  shop  and  spread  open  a  sampler  on 
which  was  worked  a  verse  indicative  of  the  joys  of 
heaven.  She  motioned  me  to  read  it,  and  then 
pointed  to  some  blue-covered  memorandum-books, 
and  holding  threepence  in  her  hand,  gave  me  to 
understand  that  she  wanted  one.  I  laid  them  be- 
fore her,  but  she  did  not  want  a  blank-book,  and 
she  pointed  to  the  letters  on  the  sampler  to  make 
me  comprehend  that  she  wanted  a  printed  book.  I 
put  several  before  her;  still  she  was  uneasy,  and 
again  pointed  to  the  verse  on  the  sampler  to  make 
me  understand  that  she  wanted  a  book  about  sal- 
vation. I  was  still  at  a  loss,  but  as  she  still  pre- 
sented the  threepence,  I  was  induced  to  lay  "  The 
Sinner's  Friend"  before  her;  but  as  jt  was  in  a 
brown  cover,  she  was  still  dissatisfied,  till  I  opened 
the  title-page,  and  then  her  eyes  sparkled  with  joy, 
and  she  again  offered  mo  the  money,  which  was 
refused.  I  gave  her  four  copies,  when  she  instantly 
put  out  her  hand  and  shook  mine,  then  put  her 
hand  on  her  bosom  and  looked  upwards,  pointing 
with  her  finger,  and  with  a  grateful  smile  indicated 


"THE   SINNER'S   FRIEND."  107 

that  she  had  got  what  she  wanted,  and  she  imme- 
diately went  away.  It  occurred  to  mo  afterwards 
that  she  must  have  seen  one  of  the  former  editions 
of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  a  blue  cover,  and  this 
led  her  to  point  to  the  blue-covered  books  when  she 
first  came  into  the  shop. 

Three  to   Dick   S ,  a   notorious   drunkard. 

Saw  him  this  evening  in  a  sober  condition,  and 
spoke  to  him  of  sin,  and  of  Christ  to  pardon.  The 
poor  fellow  listened  with  great  attention.  On  my 
knees  implored  the  Lord  to  have  mercy  on  this 
poor  man,  and  save  him  from  drunkenness  as  he 
had  done  me. 

The  chaplain  to  the  county  prison  called  and 
acquainted  me  that  he  had  distributed  these  little 
books  to  some  of  the  poor  wretches  in  prison.  He 
said  he  had  no  book  so  calculated  to  do  good  to 
the  prisoners.  Blessed  be  God  for  his  mercy  in 
thus  favoring  my  little  book,  and  may  the  Lord 
have  all  the  praise. 

Twelve  copies  to  the  Rev.  Rowland  Hill  person- 
ally at  my  house. 

Three  to  a  poor  sailor  who  knew  James  Covey, 
the  poor  seaman  who  lost  both  his  legs  in  Lord 
Duncan's  victory,  and  of  whom  a  tract  is  circulated. 
Spoke  to  him  of  Christ.  He  said  that  James  Covey 
used  to  give  him  good  advice,  and  tell  him  to  seek 
the  Lord.  The  poor  man  shook  hands  with  me  to 
express  his  feelings  of  gratitude.  God  be  thanked 
for  granting  me  this  mercy. 

Apbil  26,  1830.  Six 'to  Rev.  Rowland  Hill's 
coachman,  D .    He  said  "The  Sinner's  Friend" 


108  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

had  l)con  made  useful.  Thanks,  ten  thousand  thou- 
sand thanks  to  my  gracious  God  for  having  spared 
my  life  to  the  present  hour,  and  granted  me  the 
opportunity  of  distributing  9,000  copies  of  the  little 
work  gratuitously,  besides  the  sale  of  5,835  copies, 
making  14,835  since  it  was  first  published  in  1821. 
Surely  the  Lord's  blessing  and  mercy  is  indeed  in 
this  thing,  and  to  his  name  I  desire  to  render  grate- 
ful praise. 

Twelve  to  T.  C ,  a  staff-sergeant  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Waterloo.  Had  been  in  twenty-two  engage- 
ments and  escaped  unwounded.  After  Waterloo  he 
became  converted  to  the  Captain  of  salvation,  and 
was  employed  by  the  Naval  and  Military  Bible  As- 
sociation to  distribute  the  word  of  God.  He  had 
been  lately  out  of  employ,  and  leaving  his  wife  des- 
titute in  London,  he  went  all  the  way  to  Brighton 
to  present  a  memorial  to  the  king,  to  which  no  reply 
was  given.     Last  week  he  walked  from  Brighton  to 

Maidstone  to  wait  upon  General  B ,  but  without 

success.     In  this  extremity  he  addressed  a  letter  to 

Lord  It ,  and  yesterday  took  the  letter  himself, 

and  had  an  interview  with  his  lordship,  who  dismiss- 
ed him  unrelieved.  The  poor  humble  follower  of 
Christ  had  prayed  earnestly  to  the  Lord  of  glory  to 
appear  for  him  in  his  utter  destitution,  and  the  Lord 
heard  his  cry  and  answered  it  in  the  following  re- 
markable manner. 

In    the    evening,    after    returning    from    Lord 

II 's,  the  poor  man  received  a  Letter  from  his 

lordship  to  wait  on  him  the  next  day.  The  poor 
man  was  naturally  surprised,  and  while  he  sat  inns- 


"THE    SINNER'S    FRIEND."  109 

ing  in  a  small  apartment  occupied  by  one  Epps,  a 

tanner,  •who  should  open  the  door  but  Lord  B 

himself!  Something  which  the  poor  soldier  had 
either  said  or  written  had  made;  such  an  impression 

on  Lord  B 's  mind,  under  the  influence  of  the 

Spirit  of  God,  that  he  could  not  rest  till  he  saw  this 
poor  man  again,  and  instead  of  waiting  till  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  according  to  his  own  ap- 
pointment, he  was  with  him  so  early  as  noon,  and 
sat  nearly  an  hour  patiently  listening  to  a  poor  sol- 
dier detailing  the  wonderful  ways  of  the  Lord ;  and 
then  Lord  It presented  the  poor  penniless  ser- 
vant of  God  with  no  less  a  sum  than  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  pounds  sterling,  and  quitted  the 
house.  "  Oh  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for 
his  goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the 
children  of  men !"  Had  I  not  taken  the  notes  into 
my  own  hands,  I  should  scarcely  have  believed  it, 
but  I  found  them  to  be  genuine  and  good.     It  is 

impossible  to  account  for  Lord  R 's  conduct  in 

any  other  way  than  by  ascribing  it  to  the  immedi- 
ate influence  of  God  in  making  his  lordship  the 
instrument  of  his  mercy  towards  his  poor  servant 

in  the  distressing  hour,  because  Lord  E is  not 

a  man  likely  to  be  led  away  by  any  enthusiastic 
feeling,  nor  by  want  of  judgment  or  sound  discre- 
tion; therefore  it  is  the  Lord's  doing  from  begin- 
ning to  end.  I  received  the  above  astonishing  nar- 
rative from  T.  C himself,  who  had  come  to 

purchase  a  small  pocket-book  in  which  to  s. 
his  treasure.     He  returned  to  London  this  after- 
noon by  the  three  o'clock  coach,  furnished  with  the 


110  JOnN   VINE   HALL. 

means  of  liquidating  his  debts  and  softening  tlio 
anguish  of  his  poor  wife,  who  had  been  turned  out 
of  her  lodgings  since  he  quitted  her  a  few  days  since, 
and  their  bed  and  furniture  had  been  taken  away. 

June  11,  1831.  It  has  pleased  a  merciful  God  to 
spare  my  life  to  publish  a  new  edition  of  this  little 
work,  which  he  has  so  greatly  honored  with  his 
especial  blessing  as  to  bring  it  into  increasing  de- 
mand. This  morning  the  eighth  edition  was  pub- 
lished. I  laid  the  first  copy  before  the  Lord,  pour- 
ing out  my  heart  before  him  in  thankfulness  for 
past  mercies,  and  entreated  him  to  keep  me  exceed- 
ingly watchful  and  humble,  that  I  might  not  be 
lifted  up  with  pride  and  self-complacency,  and  thus 
forfeit  his  future  protection  of  my  little  book,  which 
I  had  dedicated  anew  to  his  tender  care.  Oh  may 
his  Holy  Spirit  ever  preserve  me  in  a  humble,  watch- 
ful, penitent,  and  believing  frame  of  mind,  that  I 
may  live  unceasingly  to  his  glory. 

Six  to  B ,  a  pious  bricklayer,  who  told  me 

that  he  had  lately  heard  of  two  instances  in  which 
"  The  Sinner's  Friend"  had  been  made  a  blessing. 

I  visited  Mr.  S— — ;  he  said,  "  Words  cannot 
express  my  thankfulness  for  'The  Sinner's  Friend,' 
and  for  your  kindness  in  coming  to  see  me."  On 
asking  him  what  portion  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend" 
had  been  useful  to  him,  he  said,  "  Pardon  for  the 
worst  of  sinners,"  page  10.  My  heart  was  instantly 
overpowered  with  thankfulness  to  the  Lord  for  his 
great  mercy  in  thus  honoring  this  portion,  which 
I  had  written  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  meeting 
the  case  of  the  most  abandoned.     Mr.  S said 


"THE    SINNER'S    FRIEND."  Ill 

that  -when  lie  read  that  murderers  were  pardoned, 
he  was  immediately  filled  with  hope,  and  from  that 
hour  the  Lord  began  the  work  of  conversion  in  his 
soul. 

Nov.  24.  One  personally  to  W.  Wilberforce,  Esq., 
the  champion  for  liberating  the  slaves  in  the  West 
Indies.  Mr.  Wilberforce  is  residing  with  his  son 
the  Kev.  E.  Wilberforce,  the  rector  of  East  Far- 
leigh.  I  walked  over  to  see  Mr.  Wilberforce,  who 
received  me  with  Christian  courtesy,  and  chatted 
for  some  time,  and  shook  me  kindly  by  the  hand  as 
a  brother  in  Christ.  Mr.  Wilberforce  is  extremely 
feeble,  almost  worn  out  with  old  age,  yet  lively  and 
cheerful. 

Thirteen  to  a  poor  man,  James  Perry,  from 
Chatham,  to  sell  for  his  own  benefit.  This  poor 
but  very  decent  man  had  walked  from  Chatham 
this  morning  to'  sell  matches.  There  was  some- 
thing so  exceedingly  prepossessing  in  his  appear- 
ance, that  I  was  constrained  to  speak  to  him  of 
Christ,  and  to  my  great  delight  I  found  him  to  bo 
one  born  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  had  seen  better 
days.  Gave  him  money  and  food.  He  had  prayed 
the  Lord  to  direct  his  course  to  some  Christian 
friend  who  might  relieve  his  wants. 

My  dear  friend  Mr.  Slatterie  told  me  that  a 
young  man  at  Chatham,  nephew  to  Mr.  Foster, 
dated  his  first  impressions  of  serious  things  of  eter- 
nity from  reading  "The  Sinner's  Friend."  This 
young  man  joined  the  church  of  Christ. 

March  14,  1833.  This  morning,  on  which  I  en- 
tered my  sixtieth  year,  I  am  permitted  the  great 


112  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

privilege  ami  happiness  to  bring  forth  the  tenth 
edition  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  winch  I  humbly 
dedicate  to  the  Lord,  with  earnest  prayer  that  he 
would  be  pleased  to  bless  these  as  he  has  done 
those  gone  before. 

Twelve  to  Lady  Le  D ,  on  her  calling'  pur- 
posely for  conversation. 

Ten  on  going  to  Gravesend.  Six  at  six  cottages 
on  Boxley  Hill.  Had  some  interesting  conversa- 
tion with  a  respectable  female  in  the  van.  Gave 
her  a  "  Sinner's  Friend,"  which  she  received  with 
great  emotion,  saying,  "  This  is  the  book  which  was 
made  the  means  of  conversion  to  a  young  relative 
of  mine,  who  has  since  joined  Mr.  Slatterie's  church." 
Blessed  be  the  Lord. 

Feb.  11,  1834.  This  day  I  had  the  happiness  of 
publishing  the  eleventh  edition — seven  thousand 
copies — of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  With  heartfelt 
gratitude  I  took  twelve  copies  in  my  hand,  and 
kneeling  before  the  Lord,  humbly  dedicated  them 
to  him,  with  thankfulness  for  past  blessings  on  this 
little  Avork,  and  earnest  entreaty  for  his  favor  on 
every  copy  of  the  new  edition,  for  Christ's  sake. 

A  young  man,  J.  T ,  now  residing  at  Green- 
street,  near  Sittingbourne,  received  his  first  impres- 
sions of  religion  from  reading  "  The  Sinner's  Friend," 
and  he  is  now  become  a  preacher  of  the  gospel 
which  he  once  despised. 

A  poor  woman  at  Shaftesbury  informed  me — 
"  You  sent  several  copies  of  'The  Sinner's  Friend.' 

1  hi  ard  that  the  wife  of  H ,  who  lately  ran  away, 

was  in  great  affliction  of  body  and   mind.     I  sent 


"THE    SINNER'S   FRIEND."  113 

her  a  copy  of  '  The  Sinner's  Friend,'  and  from  the 
time  she  first  received  this  little  book  till  the  hour 
of  her  death,  it  was  scarcely  ever  out  of  her  eager 
grasp.  She  said  that  it  had  made  her  very,  very 
happy.  She  slept  with  it  upon  her  pillow,  and  died 
literally  clasping  it  to  her  bosom/'  Blessed,  for 
ever  blessed  be  the  Lord  for  so  many  and  such  re- 
peated proofs  of  his  wondrous  goodness  in  over- 
shadowing this  little  work  with  his  especial  favor, 
to  the  conversion  and  salvation  of  souls.  I  was  so 
overpowered  by  this  renewed  token  of  mercy,  that 
tears  of  gratitude  rushed  forth  to  the  Lord.  Oh 
may  I  be  more  humble  and  watchful  than  ever. 

Fifteenth  edition,  7,000  coties.  May  25.  Bless- 
ed be  the  Lord  God  Almighty  for  his  great  mercy 
in  making  it  needful  to  print  a  new  edition  of  "The 
Sinner's  Friend,"  which  he  has  so  largely  favored 
by  the  conversion  of  sinners.  Oh  may  my  heart  be 
more  than  ever  humble,  that  I  lose  not  his  precious 
favor  by  the  allowance  of  pride  or  self-complacency 

or  any  kind  of  sin.    Twelve  to  Mrs.  B ,  the  first 

copies  of  the  new  edition.  Laid  these  twelve  cop- 
ies before  the  Lord,  imploring  his  blessing  upon 
them  and  upon  every  copy  of  the  new  edition. 
"When  shall  my  wondering  soul  begin  to  praise 
him  for  so  much  mercy  to  so  great  a  sinner  as  I 
am? 

On  board  the  steam-packet  from  Gravesend  to 
London.  One  to  a  lady  who  sat  on  the  deck  read- 
ing a  book.  Four  to  a  gentleman  who  sat  reading. 
I  addressed  him  by  saying,  "  I  am  an  agriculturist 
sowing  seed  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  permit  me, 


114  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

sir,  to  present  3*011  with  some  of  the  seed."  I  spoke 
also  to  two  other  gentlemen  on  the  way  of  salvation. 

Thirteen  to  various  persons  on  my  journey  to 
and  from  Westerham,  with  earnest  prayer  that  the 
Lord  would  bless  every  copy  to  the  glory  of  his 
own  most  holy  name  and  for  the  honor  of  his  bless- 
ed Son.  No  tongue  can  tell,  no  mind  can  conceive 
of  the  ecstacy  of  my  soul  when  exercised  in  pro- 
moting  the  glory  of  God.  The  name  of  Christ,  or 
rather,  the  love  of  Christ,  puts  me  into  a  perfect 
blaze,  a  very  fire  of  ecstacy  and  delight.  Oh  may 
the  Lord  preserve  me  from  extinguishing  this  fire, 
and  may  his  grace  uphold  and  keep  me  from  the 
indulgence  of  any  kind  of  sin. 

By  the  infinite  mercy  of  the  Lord,  I  am  spared 
to  see  the  twentieth  edition  of  "The  Sinner's 
Friend."  What  can  I  possibly  render  unto  the 
Lord  for  all  his  benefits  towards  me?  I  took 
twelve  copies  of  this  new  edition  in  my  hand,  and 
kneeling  before  the  Lord,  implored  his  blessing 
upon  the  work  of  his  own  hands. 

I  had  purposely  dropped  a  copy  of  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend"  in  the  pathway,  and  a  gentleman 
picked  it  up  and  came  to  me  with  the  book  in  his 
hand,  saying,  "  Sir,  this  book  just  suits  me,  for  I 
am  a  sinner."  He  then  said,  "My  name  is  Bar- 
nett,  the  'Le  Fevre  of  No  Fiction  '  "  He  after- 
wards accompanied  Arthur  and  myself  in  our  chaise 
nearly  four  miles,  entertaining  us  with  his  strange 
adventures. 

Twenty-first  edition — in  Welsh.  Six  tin  nsund 
two  hundred  copies  now  printing  in  London 


"THE    SINNER'S    FltlEND."  115 

Fifty  to  Captain  P ,  bound  to  Quebec  with 

emigrants.     I  had  intended  these  for  A.  T ,  to 

take  with  her  to  Demarara,  but  not  being  able  to 
find  the  ship,  I  hailed  the  Martha,  and  requested 
to  speak  with  the  captain,  to  whom  I  expressed  my 
wishes,  and  to  my  great  delight,  he  most  readily 
complied,  and  said  that  he  would  take  care  to  put 
them  into  circulation,  which  he  did  instantly,  in  ni}' 
presence,  to  the  officers  and  men  who  were  on  deck ; 
and  I  saw  the  sails  hoisted,  and  the  ship  get  under 
weigh  for  America.  Oh,  how  did  my  heart  praise 
the  Lord  for  this  most  unexpected  opportunity  of 
sending  the  gospel  invitation  abroad,  by  a  person 
whom  I  had  never  seen  before,  but  who  I  hope  is  a 
willing  disciple  of  the  Lord. 

I  had  the  high  gratification  this  day  of  learning 
that  it  had  pleased  the  Lord  to  put  it  into  the 
heart  of  some  kind  lady  to  translate  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend"  into  the  Irish  language. 

"While  at  Tunbridge  Wells,  I  received  a  letter 
from  dear  Mr.  Knill,  thanking  me  for  "The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  and  stating  that  his  brother  Williams,  a 
missionary  from  Tahiti,  considered  "The  Sinner's 
Friend"  to  be  the  very  thing  for  the  people  of  the 
South  Sea  Islands,  and  that  he  would  translate  it 
into  Tahitian  if  I  would  find  paper  and  printing.  I 
laid  the  matter  before  the  Lord,  and  he  gave  me  a 
determination  to  run  all  risks  and  have  it  printed 
instantly,  and  then  beg  for  the  means  of  payment. 
The  first  person  to  whom  I  named  my  determina- 
tion was  Mr.  C ,  who  gave  me  thirty  shillings; 

Lady  B ,  one  pound;  and  the  third  person,  Lord 


11G  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

B ,  gave  me  ten  pounds.     Praised  be  the  Lord, 

who  instantly  answered  my  prayer.  Received  from 
the  Bishop  of  Chester  a  sovereign  towards  the  trans- 
lation of  "The  Sinners  Friend"  into  the  Tahitian 
language. 

Nov.  17,  1836.  The  total  number  of  copies  of 
"The  Sinner's  Friend"  sent  out  of  our  house  this 
year,  from  January  1  to  the  present  day,  November 
17,  is  75,878,  in  322  days;  235  per  day  average,  and 
208  over.  Oh  the  goodness  of  the  Lord !  Blessed 
be  the  Lord  for  opening  fresh  streams  everywhere 
for  extending  the  circulation  of  "  The  Skinner's 
Friend"  in  so  many  parts  of  the  world,  and  accom- 
panying it  with  his  especial  blessing. 

Feb.  21,  1837.  This  morning  I  had  the  inex- 
pressible pleasure  of  receiving  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Hallock,  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Amer- 
ican Tract  Society,  announcing  the  delightful  fact 
that  the  Society  had  adopted  "  The  Sinner's  Friend," 
a  copy  of  which  was  enclosed,  with  a  hind  hope 
expressed  that  they  might  circulate  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  this  little  work.  A  tract,  "The  Wonderful 
Escape,"  was  also  enclosed,  containing  my  speech 
at  the  Temperance  Society  at  Exeter  Hall,  in  May, 
183G."     This  tract  is  adopted  and  published  by  the 

*  "In  the  town  'where  I  reside,"  he  said,  "were  twelve  young 
men  who  were  accustomed  early  in  life  to  meet  together  for 
indulgence  in  drinking  and  all  manner  of  excess.  Eight  of  them 
di<  I  under  the  age  of  forty,  without  a  hope  beyond  the  grave,  \i  - 
(ims  of  intemperance.  Three  others  are  still  living  in  the  most 
abject  poverty. 

"One  more,  the  last  of  the  twelve,  the  worst  of  all,  remains  to 
be  accounted  for.  lie  was  a  sort  of  ringleader;  aud  being  iu  the 
wine  and  spirit  trade,  his  business  was  to  take  the  head  of  the 


"THE    SINNER'S   FRIEND."  117 

American  Tract  Society,  (No.  358.)  0  may  the 
Lord  mercifully  bless  every  copy  of  each  of  ijiese 
messengers  of  mercy,  to  the  conversion  of  sinners 
;nul  the  glory  and  honor  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
and  may  I  myself  be  preserved  from  pride  and  self- 
complacency,  and  never  forget  the  immensity  of  my 
own  obligations  to  the  Lord  for  his  delivering  grace 
and  tender  mercies.* 

table  at  convivial  parties,  and  set  up  whole  nights  drinking  and 
inducing  others  to  do  the  same,  never  going  to  bed  sober.  He 
was  an  infidel,  a  blasphemer,  a  disciple  of  Tom  Paine,  both  in 
principle  and  practice. 

"One  dark  night,  being  in  the  neighborhood  of  Stourbridge, 
he  had  been  drinking  to  excess,  wandered  out  of  the  house,  and 
staggered  among  the  coalpits,  exposed  to  fall  into  them  and  bo 
lost.  He  proceeded  on  till  he  fell,  and  rolled  down  the  bank  of 
the  canal;  but  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  had  caused  a  stone  to 
he  directly  in  his  path,  and  the  poor  drunkard  was  stopped  from 
rolling  over  into  the  water,  where,  by  one  turn  more,  he  would  have 
sunk  into  eternal  ruin.  His  senst  s  returned  for  a  moment;  he 
saw  that  if  he  attempted  to  stand,  he  would  fall  headlong  into  the 
canal,  and  crawled  back  again  into  the  road.  But  this  miraculous 
preservation  had  no  effect  upon  him;  he  merely  called  it  a  lucky 
escape. " 

*  The  English  edition  here  contains  an  interesting  chapter  of 
Mr.  J.  V.  Hall's  persevering  and  evidently  successful  "Labors  for 
Prisoners,"  especially  George  Dunk  the  forger,  and  Hartley  the 
murderer. 


US  JOnN    VINE    HALL. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

•'WISDOM'S  PATHS  PEACE." 
1822  TO  1821— AGE  48-50. 

Maech  14,  1822.  I  am  forty-eight  years  old  this 
day.  Ten  years  ago,  on  this  blessed  day,  my  gra- 
cious God  sent  his  arrows  of  conviction  through  my 
rebellious  heart,  and  brought  me  to  a  sense  of  my 
dreadful  situation  as  a  lost  sinner.  Ten  years  has 
the  Lord  assisted  me  in  the  great  conflict  which  I 
have  had  to  sustain  daily  and  almost  hourly  with 
myself  and  Satan;  and  this  morning  my  soul  is 
overwhelmed  with  grateful  feelings  for  the  mercy 
which  has  been  so  largely  bestowed  upon  me.  Min- 
gled tears  of  bitter  sorrow  and  unspeakable  delight 
rolled  down  my  face  while  before  the  Lord  this 
morning  in  private;  and  while  the  ingratitude  of 
my  former  days  stood  in  view  before  my  awakened 
imagination,  my  heart  seemed  overpowered  with 
the  weight  of  mercy  which  a  gracious  God  had 
poured  out  upon  my  unworthy  and  polluted  soul.  I 
hope  that  I  do  indeed  bless  the  Lord  with  all  my 
ransomed  powers,  and  that  I  feel  more  happy  in  his 
love  than  ever,  and  more  truly  desirous  that  I  may 
constantly,  under  all  circumstances,  live  to  his  glory. 
My  fervent  desire  is  that  the  Lord  Jesus  may  ever 
have  full  possession  of  my  heart,  and  there  reign 
without  a  rival  and  with  uncontrolled  sway. 

What  great  reason  have  T  also,  in  a  temporal 


"WISDOM'S   PATHS   PEACE."  119 

point  of  view,  to  bless  and  serve  the  Lord.  Ten 
years  ago  my  character  was  ruined,  my  trade  fast 
declining,  misery  in  nry  family,  and  misery  in  my- 
self. But  now,  my  character  reestablished,  my 
trade  overflowing,  and  instead  of  misery  in  my  fam- 
ily, we  are  all  happy  in  the  favor  of  the  Lord  our 
God.  Oh  how  can  I  ever  sufficiently  praise  and 
honor  the  JJord,.  who  hath  done  such  great  things 
for  me !  He  hath  indeed  delivered  my  soul  from 
the  lowest  hell,  and  established  my  goings,  with  a 
song  of  thanksgiving  continually  in  my  mouth. 
Blessed  be  his  name  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen  and 
amen.     "Watch — watch — watch. 

March  21.  Notwithstanding  my  ardent  desire  to 
live  to  the  glory  of  God,  yet  I  seem  to  be  more  har- 
assed than  ever  with  evil  thoughts.  My  soul  is 
grieved  beyond  measure  at  the  depravity  of  my 
own  heart;  and  I  constantly  pray  God  to  fill  me 
with  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  every  evil  imagination 
may  be  destroyed,  and  that  my  every  breath  may 
be  holy. 

May  1.  Experienced  more  than  usual  delight  at 
a  throne  of  grace  this  morning.  I  had  dreamed  of 
having  taken  the  forbidden  draught,  and  I  remem- 
ber that,  even  in  my  dream,  I  felt  ashamed  of  my- 
self; but,  blessed  be  God,  I  awoke  in  safety,  and 
had  only  seen  in  vision  what  had  once  been  my 
unhappy  state.  I  thanked  my  God  for  having  heard 
my  former  petitions  in  regard  to  the  study  of  the 
Bible,  and  for  having  made  it  my  delight  during 
the  last  six  years,  and  I  entreat  grace  to  make  it 
my  daily  study  to  the  end  of  my  life,  and  not  to 


120  JOHN   VINE   nALL. 

read  it  that  I  might  merely  say  I  had  read  so  much, 
but  that  I  might  study  it  effectually,  in  order  to  live 
to  his  glory;  aud  that  henceforth  the  Bible  might 
ever  bo  the  food  of  my  soul,  the  delight  of  my  life, 
and  the  light  of  my  path;  that  its  precepts  might 
be  bound  around  my  heart  and  fixed  in  the  centre, 
and  that  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  might 
enable  me  to  live  according  to  the  rule  of  the  word 
of  God  in  all  things. 

Aug.  14.  I  desire  to  bless  God  that  for  several 
months  past  a  secret  impulse  has  often  led  me  into 
the  summer-house,  there  to  bend  my  knee  before 
God.  This  delightful  exercise  grows  upon  me,  and 
becomes  a  kind  of  second  nature  ;  but  I  have  prayed 
the  Lord  that  it  may  never  rest  in  mere  habit,  but 
that  it  may  be  the  earnest  desire  of  my  soul  to  lie 
prostrate  before  him  at  all  times  in  humility  and 
deep  repentance.  I  have  found  prayer  to  be  very 
strengthening  to  my  soul,  and  a  powerful  support 
in  my  daily  walk,  amid  ten  thousand  temptations 
from  without,  and  a  far  greater  number  from  within. 

Oct.  24.  His  Bible.  For  the  benefit  of  my  deal 
children,  my  sons  and  daughters.  I  have  now 
searched  this  blessed  book  to  the  end  of  the  second 
chapter  of  the  first  of  Peter  for  the  third  time,  and 
my  soul  is  filled  with  unutterable  delight  arising 
from  desire  and  anticipation  of  beginning  the  Old 
Testament  again,  to  search  and  enjoy  more  than 
ever  the  heavenly  food  so  profusely  prepared  i'oi 
those  who  love  God,  and  who  are  by  his  especial 
mercy  brought  to  live  upon  his  holy  word.  This 
increasing  desire  to  study  the  Bible  in  preference 


"WISDOM'S    PATHS   PEACE.'  121 

ic  every  other  book,  is  the  gift  of  God  in  answer  to 
earnest  prayer,  and  it  has  preserved  me  from  thou- 
sands of  evils.  I  therefore  affectionately  entreat 
you,  m}'  dear  children,  to  seek  earnestly  and  con- 
stantly for  this  grace.  My  daily  prayer  has  long  been 
ihat  the  word  of  God  may  ever  be  the  food  of  mv 
soul,  the  increasing  delight  of  my  life,  and  the  light 
of  my  path3  that  its  precepts  may  be  bound  around 
my  heart  and  fixed  in'the  centre,  and  that  the  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Spirit  may  enable  me  to  live 
according  to  the  werd  of  God  in  all  things,  that 
thus  living  I  may  live  to  his  glory  and  to  the  honor 
of  his  beloved  Son.  I  write  these  remarks  with 
fervent  prayer  that  they  may  be  made  a  blessing  to 
my  dear  children  when  I,  who  was  once  the  great- 
est sinner  upon  earth,  am  singing  before  the  throne 
of  God  as  one  of  those  who  have  been  redeemed  by 
the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  J.  Y.  Hall.  I  have 
found  the  pearl  of  great  price,  blessed  be  God. 

Christmas  day.  This  day  my  dear  wife  and  self, 
with  our  seven  living  children  and  our  aged  moth- 
er, all  united  in  singing,  "Praise  God,  from  whom 
all  blessings  flow."  My  poor  heart  danced  for  joy, 
while  tears  of  gratitude  started  forth  in  honor  of 
my  God,  and  for  his  mercy  in  preserving  me  from 
the  dissipation  of  Christmas  festivity  which  reigns 
around,  and  in  which  I  was  once  most  deeply  en- 
gaged, sitting  up  whole  nights  in  revelry  and  iniqui- 
ty. But  the  grace  of  God  alone  preserves  me,  and 
the  sense  of  this  mercy  overwhelms  me  with  un- 
speakable gratitude.  I  daily  read  accounts  of  the 
dreadful  effects  of  sin — men  dying  in  a  state  of 

Nin  Vine  Hull  C\ 


122  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

intoxication.  I  cannot  express  the  thousandth  part 
of  my  feelings  on  account  of  the  love  and  mercy  of 
God  towards  me.  His  service  is  indeed  my  great- 
est delight  and  the  joy  of  my  heart.  When  I  look 
around  and  perceive  that  all  my  old  associates  still 
remain  in  the  bonds  of  iniquity,  while  I  am  emanci- 
pated, is  it  any  wonder  that  I  should  express  myseli 
so  warmly  ?  The  very  stones  would  cry  out  were  I 
not  to  declare  the  goodness  of  the  Lord. 

March  14, 1823.  Awoke  this  morning  about  three 
o'clock,  with  a  heart  full  of  gratitude  to  my  gracious 
God  for  having  permitted  me  to  live  so  long  as  to 
see  the  commencement  of  my  fiftieth  year.  When 
I  arose,  I  went  to  the  Lord  and  renewed  my  cove- 
nant with  him  to  be  his  devoted  servant.  I  seem 
to  fear  nothing  so  much  as  offending  my  God ;  yet, 
notwithstanding  this  fear,  I  continually  sin  against 
him.  "Without  the  blood  of  Christ,  I  feel  assured  I 
can  never  be  saved.  What  is  all  the  boast  of  refor- 
mation to  do  for  a  poor  sinner  ?  Nothing !  Noth- 
ing but  the  efficacious  sacrifice  made  on  Calvary 
can  satisfy  my  soul ;  and  that  does  satisfy  it.  Bless- 
ed be  God  for  this  living  faith,  which  banishes  every 
fear.     Still  I  say,  "Watch  and  pray." 

April  24.  Wlien  I  feel  how  deeply  I  have  sinned 
against  the  Lord,  I  feel  astonished  that  I  have  any 
hope  of  salvation;  yet  I  have  not  only  a  hope,  but 
a  very  lively  one;  and  I  do  trust  that,  through  the 
alone  righteousness  of  Christ,  I  shall  one  day  statu! 
before  the  throne  of  God  with  a  golden  harj)  in  my 
hand,  singing  with  a  loud  voice,  "Glory,  glory  to 
God  in  the  highest !"     I  cannot  look  upon  my  sins 


"WISDOM'S   PATHS    PEACE."  123 

and  not  feel  horror,  deep  horror  and  shame,  at  their 
enormity  and  magnitude;  neither  can  I  look  upon 
the  blood  of  Christ  without  feeling  a  thrill  of  delight 
run  through  my  whole  soul,  as  it  docs  at  this  mo- 
ment while  I  am  penning  these  words.  Yes,  the 
eternal  Son  of  God  is  all  my  hope,  trust,  and  desire. 
I  desire  to  have  him  always  in  my  heart,  as  my  King 
to  rule  over  me,  that  every  act  of  nry  life,  every  wish 
of  my  soul,  and  every  breath  I  draw,  may  all  tend 
to  his  glory.  This  blessed  theme  may  possibly 
form  part  of  our  rejoicing  with  our  friends  in  heav- 
en, where,  I  have  no  doubt,  we  shall  know  each 
other.  My  opinion  of  the  tender  mercy  of  the  Lord 
is,  that  whatever  may  increase  our  felicity  in  heav- 
en will  form  a  part  of  the  inheritance ;  and  we  must 
think  that  it  will  afford  amazing  pleasure  to  tread 
the  golden  streets  with  those  who  accompanied  us 
on  earth  in  our  walk  to  the  celestial  city. 

Isms.  I  desire  to  bless  the  Lord  that  I  embrace 
no  isms.  Show  me  the  man  who  loves  the  Lord 
and  hates  sin,  and  who  desires  to  honor  God  in 
every  thought,  word,  and  deed,  depending  on  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  enable  him  to  do  so, 
that  man  is  my  brother,  whatever  be  his  color,  na- 
tion, or  sect.  My  daily  prayer  is  that  the  Lord  may 
be  pleased  to  prosper  every  society,  of  whatever 
denomination,  which  has  for  its  object  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  honor  of  his  beloved  Son.  My  dear 
children,  you  who  will  read  this  book  when  I  am 
gone  to  my  rest,  to  you  I  bequeath  this  principlo 
as  the  best  gift  of  an  affectionate  father,  although 
you  can  only  possess  it  through  the  mercy  of  a  gra- 


124  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

cious  God  and  under  the  influences  of  his  Holy 
Spirit.  Pray  for  it,  and  it  is  yours;  but  remember 
to  pray  for  it  as  for  a  gift  that  will  free  you  from 
bondage. 

June  21.  I  can  truly  say  that  Scott's  Bible  has 
been  an  unspeakable  blessing  to  myself  during  the 
last  seven  years,  in  the  course  of  which  time  I  have 
studied  it  daily,  and  have  read  the  whole  of  the  Old 
Testament  twice,  the  New  Testament  three  times, 
and  have  just  finished  reading  the  gospels  for  the 
fourth  time,  with  increased  delight  and  thankful- 
ness to  God  for  his  mercy  in  having  preserved  to 
me  a  spiritual  appetite.  My  daily  prayer  has  long 
been  that  the  word  of  God  may  ever  be  the  food  of 
my  soul,  the  increasing  delight  of  my  life,  and  the 
light  of  my  path ;  that  its  precepts  may  be  bound 
around  my  heart,  and  that  the  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  may  enable  me  to  live  according  to  the 
rule  of  the  word  of  God  in  all  things;  that  thus  liv- 
ing, I  may  live  to  his  glory  and  to  the  honor  of  his 
beloved  Son.  This  prayer  the  Lord  has  answered, 
and.  does  continually  answer,  to  the  jo}r  of  my  heart. 
Who  on  earth  has  so  great  reason  as  I  have  to  bless 
and  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord  ? 

June  26.  Spent  half  an  hour  at  the  bedside  of  a 
dying  saint,  who  said  he  was  happier  than  a  king. 
To  behold  a  dying  saint  beckoning  death  to  ap- 
proach, and  looking  upon  his  dart  with  unutterable 
delight,  what  a  pleasure.  No  murmurs,  though 
nothing  but  bare  walls  and  parish  allowance.  One 
cannot  call  this  dying.  Jl<ij>pi<r  than  a  king!  I 
think  I  shall  never  forget  these  words,  nor  the  ani  ■ 


"WISDOM'S   PATHS    PEACE."  125 

matiou  with  wlrich  they  were  uttered.  This  is  the 
grandest  sight  I  ever  beheld — better  than  a  corona- 
tion. I  repeated  to  him  the  whole  of  the  twenty- 
fifth  Psalm,  with  which  he  appeared  pleased.  I 
desire  to  praise  the  Lord  for  having  caused  so  many 
portions  of  Scripture  to  be  delightful  to  my  own 
soul,  and  also  for  having  given  me  grace  to  commit 
many  of  them  to  memory,  that  they  may  be  useful 
to  others  as  well  as  to  myself.  I  have  now  upon 
my  heart  and  mind  the  following  Psalms:  25th, 
27th,  30th,  34th,  51st,  91st,  103d,  116th,  121st,  130th, 
139th,  and  145th;  also  twenty-four  choice  hymns. 
These  form  the  principal  part  of  my  living  stock, 
being  always  fresh  upon  my  memory,  and  ready  for 
use  on  all  suitable  occasions. 

Among  the  hymns  are  those  commencing, "  Come, 
my  soul,  thy  suit  prepare;"  "God  moves  in  a  mys- 
terious way;"  "  Guide  me,  O  thou  great  Jehovah;" 
"Oh  for  a  thousand  tongues  to  sing;"  "Jesus,  and 
shall  it  ever  be;"  "Oh  for  a  heart  to  praise  my 
God;"  "Oh  for  a  closer  walk  with  God;"  "When 
all  thy  mercies,  O  my  God ;"  "  Grace,  'tis  a  charm- 
ing sound;"  "When  with  my  mind  devoutly  pressed;" 
"How  sweet  the  name  of  Jesus  sounds;"  and  "The 
star,  the  star  of  Bethlehem." 

How  infinitely  superior  are  these  "  Songs  of 
Zion"  to  my  old,  foolish,  worldly  vanities  !  Blessed 
be  God.  With  what  delight  do  I  take  up  the  lan- 
guage of  the  ninety-first  Psalm ;  for  the  Lord  hath 
indeed  made  me  to  "tread  upon  the  lion  and  the 
adder" — Mine  and  spirituous  liquors;  and  he  hath 
truly  "delivered  me  and  honored  me"  in  a  most 


126  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

peculiar  manner.  The  Lord  has  honored  me  with 
the  friendship  of  his  chosen  people ;  and  some  of 
the  ministers  of  the  everlasting  gospel  are  now 
among  my  dearest  friends.  The  Lord  has  also 
honored  me  by  making  me  useful  among  the  poor, 
and  also  in  distributing  religious  books,  particularly 
"  The  Sinner's  Friend."  Nothing  on  earth  is  so 
truly  delightful  to  my  soul  as  to  speak  boldly  for 
the  honor  of  the  Son  of  God  whenever  I  have  an 
opportunity.  Great  thanks  to  the  Lord  for  this 
gift, 

July -9.  Rev.  H.  Townley  took  up  his  abode  at 
my  house.  He  had  recently  returned  from  Calcut- 
ta, where  he  has  been  laboring  during  the  last  five 
years  as  a  missionary.  About  thirteen  years  ago, 
he  followed  the  profession  of  the  law  in  Doctors' 
Commons,  and  lived  in  a  style  of  luxury  and  dissi- 
pation, frequenting  operas  and  masquerades.  He 
was  also  a  sceptic  in  religion,  delighting  in  the 
works  of  Yoltaire,  Hume,  and  other  infidel  writers. 
On  looking  over  a  newspaper,  he  saw  an  advertise- 
ment of  a  new  edition  of  Paley's  "  Evidences  of  the 
Christian  Religion,"  and  never  having  heard  of  the 
work,  he  sent  one  of  his  clerks  to  purchase  a  copy, 
which  he  perused  with  the  greatest  eagerness ;  and 
so  wonderfully  was  conviction  fastened  on  his  mind, 
that  on  the  very  next  Sabbath-day  he  became  a 
preacher  in  his  own  family,  by  reading  the  word  of 
God,  and  commencing  family  prayer.  While  Mr. 
Townley  was  relating  this  circumstance  my  heart 
bounded  for  joy,  and  I  told  him  how  the  Lord  had 
dealt  with  myself,  by  turning  me  from  deism.     On 


"WISDOM  S   PATHS   PEACE."  127 

the  Sabbath  morning,  after  family  praj-er,  he  ad- 
dressed my  four  sons  :  "  Here  are  your  father  and  I, 
we  have  known  other  gods,  but  we  found  that  thc}r 
could  not  save  us.  We  now  know  the  true  Lord, 
and  him  we  desire  to  serve."  Ah,  how  great  is  feho 
mercy  of  the  Lord  to  have  called  me  by  his  grace, 
and  to  have  delivered  me  from  my  abominations 
before  my  children  had  arrived  at  an  age  to  have 
witnessed  such  heartrending  depravity.  I  may  well 
say,  "I  love  the  Lord,  because  he  hath  heard  my 
voice  and  my  supplications,  and  hath  delivered  mv 
soul  from  death,  mine  eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feei 
from  falling."  Blessed  be  his  holy  name !  Even 
the  very  smell  of  wine  is  become  disgusting,  and  I 
rejoice  in  the  thought  that  my  mouth  will  never 
again  be  polluted  by  strong  drink  of  any  descrip- 
tion. The  Lord  feeds  me,  as  he  did  Daniel ;  and  ] 
have  more  strength  of  body  and  health  of  counte- 
nance than  ever  I  had  when  I  drank  my  pint  or 
bottle  of  wine  each  day. 

July  20.  My  four  dear  boys  assembled  with  me 
this  morning,  and  wTe  sang  a  hymn  and  then  read 
the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  chapters  of  St.  John, 
verse  by  verse  alternately,  and  then  sang  another 
hymn.  I  then  exhorted  them  to  seek  the  Lord 
with  full  purpose  of  heart,  that  when  I  should  be 
removed,  they  might  have  God  for  their  Father 
and  their  Friend. 

One  day,  on  leaving  Dr.  D 's  house,  I  spoko 

to  his  footman  on  the  necessity  of  seeking  the  Lord. 
Gave  him  "Scripture  Help,"  "Bickersteth  on  Pray- 
er," and  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."     He  was  exceed- 


128  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

ingly  thankful  for  my  advice.  This  man  called  on 
me  six  months  afterwards,  and  with  tears  of  grati- 
tude said,  "I  thank  God,  sir,  that  you  spoke  to  me 
in  the  manner  that  you  did  one  night  when  you 
were  leaving  my  master's  house,  as  till  then  I  was 
going  on  in  a  wild  path ;  but  now  I  am  seeking  the 
Lord,  and  feel  happy  in  his  service." 

July  27.  Sawr  Dr.  D this  morning  at  his  own 

house.  Found  him  in  a  low,  desponding  state. 
Endeavored  to  encourage  and  comfort  him.  I  told 
him  if  he  had,  in  his  own  person,  committed  all  the 
sins  that  ever  were  committed  by  the  whole  world, 
from  Cain  to  the  present  hour,  still  the  blood  of 
Christ  was  more  than  sufficient  to  blot  them  all 
out. 

Aug.  16.  My  case  is  somewhat  like  a  poor  man 
placed  on  the  top  of  a  very  high  house  surrounded 
on  all  sides  by  fire  ;  the  spectators  below  unable  to 
afford  relief,  while  the  poor  man  keeps  running 
from  side  to  side  to  escape  the  rising  flames ;  but 
suddenly,  and  just  at  the  moment  when  every  hope 
is  given  up,  a  hand  is  seen  issuing  from  the  clouds, 
snatching  the  half-distracted  man  from  his  perilous 
situation  and  placing  him  securely  on  the  ground. 
Would  the  man  thus  rescued  from  destruction  ever 
forget  his  benefactor?  And  when  speaking  of  his 
marvellous  escape,  would  not  his  heart  be  full? 
Just  so  I  have  been  snatched  from  the  fire  of  hell 
by  the  hand  of  the  Lord;  therefore  I  can  never 
speak  but  with  enthusiasm  when  opening  my  lips 
to  the  praise  of  God. 

Feb.  28.   A  stranger  came  to  purchase  Dr.  Ma- 


WISDOM  S    PATHS    PEACE.  129 

lan's  Tracts,  and  said  they  were  delightful  tracts, 
but  that  Malan  was  now  dreadfully  persecuted  at 
Lausanne,  and  was  silenced,  being  forbidden  to 
preach  the  gospel.  I  replied  that  there  was  no  oc- 
casion to  go  to  Lausanne  to  find  persecution.  "No," 
said  the  stranger,  "  for  as  soon  as  we  express  love 
for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  enmity  immediately 
appears.  Many  persons  will  speak  of  the  mercy  of 
God,  but  if  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  named,  and 
the  necessity  of  being  found  in  him,  then  they  are 
decerned  enthusiasts  and  madmen."  The  stranger 
then  went  on  in  an  animated  manner  to  speak  of 
the  love  of  God  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  the  neces- 
sity of  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  also 
that  we  should  never  be  ashamed  of  the  cross.  He 
drew  from  his  pocket  a  Bible,  and  turning  to  the 
fifth  chapter  of  the  first  epistle  of  St.  John,  read  in 
an  energetic  mamier  the  tenth  to  the  fifteenth  verse. 
I  looked  at  him  with  great  delight,  wondering  who 
he  could  be,  and  my  curiosity  was  upon  the  full 
stretch.  I  said  to  him,  "  Sir,  I  know  not  wlio  you 
are,  but  I  know  what  you  are,  and  I  desire  to  bless 
God  that  he  has  shown  you  the  way  of  salvation, 
and  granted  you  his  Holy  Spirit.  I  rejoice  also  to 
see  that  book  in  your  hand,  because  it  speaks  for 
itself"- 

March  10.  I  find  a  great  portion  of  vanity  and 
self-complacency  mixed  with  all  my  actions ;  but  if 
we  abstain  from  exertion  till  vanity  be  eradicated, 

*  This  proved  to  be  the  Earl  of ,  between  whom  and  the 

author  a  very  cordial  correspondence  on  religious  subjects  was 
maintained  for  many  years. 

6* 


130  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

we  shall  become  totally  useless ;  therefore  "\ve  must 
not  allow  ourselves  to  be  cheated  of  opportunities 
to  do  good,  but  pray  to  God  to  keep  us  ever  hum- 
ble, watchful,  prayerful,  penitent,  and  obedient. 

March  14,  1824.  Jubilee.  Fifty  years!  I  feel 
such  an  overwhelming  sense  of  the  mercy  and  good- 
ness of  God  towards  me,  that  I  scarcely  know  where 
to  begin  to  praise  him  : 

"  When  all  thy  mercies,  Oh  my  God, 
My  rising  soul  surveys, 
Transported  -with  the  view,  I  'm  lost 
In  -wonder,  love,  and  praise." 

I  have  not  only  been  preserved,  but  have  been 
indulged  with  many  privileges  for  which  I  can  never 
be  sufficiently  thankful.  It  has  been  my  great  hap- 
piness to  attend  the  dying  beds  of  several  individu- 
als who  are  now  singing  before  the  throne  of  God ; 
and  I  have  also  been  favored  with  the  unspeakable 
pleasure  of  repeated  conversations  with  rich  and 
poor  on  the  love  and  mercy  of  the  Eedeemer.  I 
have  also  had  the  pleasure  to  distribute  2,787  cop- 
ies of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  in  various  directions, 
among  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor.  And  above 
all,  I  have  been  brought  to  feel  more  than  ever  my 
own  innate  depravity  and  the  absolute  need  of  a 
Saviour,  as  well  as  the  continual  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  sanctify  and  keep  me  in  the  path  of 
holiness.  I  long  to  be  holy,  and  because  I  am  not 
so  I  feel  increasing  grief.  I  am  also  still  pursuing 
the  daily  study  of  Scott's  Bible,  which  has  been  the 
increasing  delight  of  my  life  during  the  last  eight 
years.     This  is  a  great  mercy.    I  have  also  had  the 


"WISDOM'S   PATHS   PEACE."  131 

enjoyment  of  entertaining  the  ministers  of  the  Lord, 
and  have  been  profited  by  their  prayers  and  pious 
conversation.  I  love  the  messengers  of  Zion,  what- 
ever may  be  their  talents,  and  I  bless  the  Lord  for 
this  great  and  happy  change  in  my  affections,  see- 
ing there  was  a  time  when  I  would  sooner  have 
shut  my  doors  against  a  minister  of  the  gospel  than 
have  admitted  him  under  my  roof. 

' '  Oh  to  grace  how  gi-eat  a  debtor ! " 

What  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  me ! 
Blessed  be  his  holy  name. 

"When  I  approach  the  footstool  of  the  Lord  in 
the  first  of  the  morning,  I  feel  constrained  to  say, 
"  O  Lord,  •  to  thee  alone  am  I  indebted  for  these 
comforts,  and  it  is  from  thy  mercy  alone  that  I  am 
not  stretched  on  this  floor  in  drunkenness,  or  in  a 
workhouse,  or  in  a  madhouse,  or  lifting  up  my  eyes 
in  endless  torment.  Having  done  such  marvellous 
things  for  me,  O  Lord,  mercifully  prevent  my  doing 
the  slightest  thing  to  dishonor  thee,  or  bring  disre- 
pute on  the  name  of  thy  beloved  Son."  This  is  my 
daily,  hourly  prayer ;  and  I  pray  also  that  the  least 
motion  of  inward  sinfulness  may  give  me  exquisite 
pain,  that  I  may  fly  instantly  to  the  Lord  for  shel- 
ter and  support.  I  seem  to  think  that  no  one  can 
possibly  have  so  great  cause  to  love  the  Lord  as  I 
have,  because  no  one  can  have  sinned  so  much 
against  him,  and  yet  have  received  so  many  favors 
and  such  signal  displays  of  his  almighty  power. 
He  has  not  only  removed  from  me  every  disposition 
or  inclination  for  strong  drink,  but  has  mercifully 


132  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

implanted  bo  opposite  a  feeling,  that  the  very  smell 
of  wine  or  strong  drink  in  any  person  creates  a 
shuddering  and  horror  beyond  description,  and  I 
ejaculate,  "  Is  it  possible  that  my  month  was  ever 
polluted  with  such  filth  ?" 

Aug.  13.   I  had  the  pleasure  of  sending  my  old 

friend  Mr.  S an  acknowledgment  of  his  great 

kindness  to  me  many  years  ago,  when  he  was  in 
prosperity ;  but  he  is  now  in  adversity,  having  run 
through  a  fortune  of  thirty  thousand  pounds,  and 
remaining  totally  ignorant  of  Christ.  Who  has 
made  me  to  differ  in  opinion  as  well  as  in  circum- 
stances? Oh  that  all  my  old  friends  had  found  the 
Lord.  I  pray  for  them  daily,  beseeching  the  Lord 
to  bless  them  with  a  knowledge  of  himself. 

Aug.  2G.  "Wedding-day.  Blessed  be  the  Lord 
that  I  have  been  spared  to  witness  and  rejoice  in 
the  eighteenth  anniversary  of  this  auspicious  day, 
which  finds  my  beloved  wife  and  self  in  excellent 
health,  and  more  dear  to  each  other  by  far  than 
when  we  were  first  united.  Our  blessings  are  of 
the  most  exalted  kind,  the  love  of  God  filling  our 
hearts,  giving  us  unspeakable  delight.  "  What 
shall  we  render  to  the  Lord?"  May  we  ever  re- 
member and  honor  the  Lord  our  God  with  the  first 
fruits  of  all  our  increase,  and  give  ourselves  unre- 
servedly to  him  who  hath  done  all  these  things  for 
as. 

Sept.  10.  I  went  with  my  dear  wife  to  visit  a 
poor  despairing  widow.  The  Bible  lay  before  her. 
She  was  in  the  most  disconsolate  state,  because  she 
could  not  believe  in  Jesus  Christ.      A  professed 


"WISDOM'S   PATHS    TEACE."  133 

deist  had  ruined  her  peace  of  mind.  With  uplifted 
hands  and  in  mental  agony  she  exclaimed,  "  Oh, 
what  will  that  man  have  to  answer  for,  who  has  thus 
deceived  mo  and  ruined  the  soul  of  my  poor  de- 
parted husband !"  I  never  saw  so  pitiable  an  objeci 
in  my  life.  I  tried  to  encourage  her.  How  can  1 
ever  be  sufficiently  thankful  to  the  Lord  for  his 
wondrous  mercy  in  rescuing  me  from  this  delusion 
of  the  devil  and  Tom  Paine. 

Sept.  11.  Poor  widow  B .  I  had  been  solic- 
ited to  visit  this  poor  aged  widow,  seventy-nine 
years  of  age.  I  found  her  in  great  distress  of  mind, 
with  the  Testament  open  before  her.  I  spoke  to  her 
at  considerable  length  on  the  mercy  and  goodness 
of  God  in  Christ,  and  took  her  hand  in  mine  with 
as  much  tenderness  as  I  could  express.  She  then 
said,  "I  am  so  glad  you  are  come,  sir;  it  is  so  com- 
fortable to  hear  you  talk  so.  I  knew  you,  sir,  thirty 
years  ago,  when  you  were  a  very  gay  young  man 
and  knew  nothing  of  this  language.  But  what  a 
change!"  I  replied  that  my  old  companions  con- 
sidered me  mad;  that  I  had  expressed  my  wishes 
to  them  that  the  Lord  would  make  them  equally 
mad. 

When  I  entered  my  own  house  I  found  a  gen- 
tleman waiting  to  see  me.  He  was  well  dressed, 
in  black,  and  had  twelve  copies  of  "The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  which  he  had  purchased.  He  surprised 
me  by  saying,  "You  do  not  recollect  me  now,  sir, 
but  you  gave  me  one  of  these  little  books  when  you 
came  to  the  prison  where  I  was  confined,  and  spoke 
upon  the  mercy  of  God  to  poor  prisoners.     It  cheei'- 


134  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

ed  my  heart  and  did  me  good."  The  Lord  was 
pleased  to  visit  him  in  prison,  and  to  humble  his 
heart;  and  he  himself  now  proclaims  the  news  of 
salvation  to  poor  sinners  in  the  neighboring  villages 
of  Gravesend,  where  he  holds  a  respectable  situa- 
tion, and  is  a  teacher  in  one  of  the  schools. 

Sept.  15.  I  find  when  my  mind  has  been  consid- 
erably disturbed,  if  I  can  but  sit  down  to  my  Bible, 
for  even  a  few  minutes  only,  there  comes  a  season 
of  refreshing  which  quiets  the  agitated  feelings  and 
enables  me  to  take  a  fresh  start.  Blessed  be  the 
Lord  for  that  mercy  which  has  placed  me  in  a  sit- 
uation where  not  a  day  passes  without  my  having 
the  supreme  happiness  of  speaking  to  one  or  more 
persons,  high  or  low,  on  the  way  of  salvation  :  yes- 
terday to  Lady ,  the  day  before  to  the  Hon. 

Mr.  N .     I  have  also  poor  brethren  and  sisters 

in  the  Lord,  who  come  to  my  door  with  matches; 
so  that  my  cup  does  indeed  abound,  and  "  the  lines 
are  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places." 

Nov.  19.  I  frequently  entreat  the  Lord  to  put  his 
restraining  bridle  upon  me,  and  keep  it  tight  in  his 
own  almighty  hand.  My  soul  is  daily  grieved  at 
the  prevalence  of  sin,  and  when  I  see  a  drunken 
man  staggering  along  the  streets  I  shudder  involun- 
tarily and  call  upon  the  Lord  to  have  mercy  upon 
the  poor  lost,  fallen  creature.  When  expressions  of 
blaspheni}'  are  uttered,  I  feel  as  though  some  sharp 
instrument  had  been  pressed  against  me,  while  the 
prayer  of  pity  arises  in  my  heart,  and  I  remember 
with  grief  and  shame  that  such  was  I  before  the 
Lord  embraced  me  with  his  saving  love.     Let  any 


"WISDOM'S  PATHS    PEACE."  135 

person  whose  mind  soars  above  the  very  folly  lie 
commits,  yet  feels  an  overpowering  propensity  to 
indulge  in  strong  drink  which  he  would  forsake  but 
cannot,  think  of  my  case,  and  be  comforted  with  the 
assurance  that  if  he  will  but  go  to  the  Lord  and 
penitently  entreat  his  aid  he  shall  surely  become  a 
conqueror.  There  are  doubtless  a  vast  number  of 
persons  who  have  been  seduced,  step  by  step,  into 
intemperance,  but  would  give  the  universe  to  be 
enabled  to  retreat  from  their  accursed  bane;  yet 
from  the  almost  insurmountable  difficulty  of  the  way, 
they  remain  engulfed  till  death  overtakes  them  with 
all  the  horrors  of  a  guilty  conscience.  I  have  been 
upon  the  very  verge  of  this  destruction,  but  the 
Lord  stretched  forth  his  mighty  arm  and  snatched 
me  fi'om  the  yawning  gulf.  I  knew  personally  a 
line  young  man  in  Worcestershire,  the  eldest  son  of 
a  wealthy  baronet,  who  accompanied  one  of  his  col- 
lege friends  into  Scotland  during  a  vacation,  and 
while  there  imbibed  such  a  habit  of  drinking  whis- 
key, that  when  he  returned  to  his  father's  house  he 
found  the  dreadful  poison  to  be  irresistible;  but, 
being  a  young  man  of  superior  attainments,  the 
degradation  of  his  mind  became  insupportable,  and 
in  an  agony  of  despair  he  committed  suicide  to  avoid 
the  shame  of  being  a  drunkard.  I  have  been  t<  smpt- 
ed  to  do  the  same,  but  God  preserved  me. 

Dec.  10.  Study  of  the  Scriptures.  Although  I 
have  now  studied  the  blessed  Scriptures  many  years, 
yet  I  find  new  beauties  every  day,  and  I  have  a 
clearer  perception  of  passages  which  had  not  shone 
in  my  view  before,  or  had  been  but  little  regarded. 


136  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

This  is  to  me  a  decisive  proof  of  the  influences  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  enlightening  by  degrees  the  mind 
-which  could  not  at  first  have  encountered  all  the 
effulgence  of  divine  truth.  I  rejoice  in  this  gradual 
unfolding  of  the  precious  truth,  because  the  soul  is 
thus  continually  receiving  new  enjoyment,  as  well  as 
renewed  impulse  to  search  after  hidden  treasure. 

Dec.  21.  My  dear  boys  were  now  returned  from 
school;  we  were  all  seated  round  the  table.  My 
heart  was  surcharged  with  gratitude  to  God  for  his 
goodness  in  having  preserved  us.  I  could  not  rc- 
frain  from  tears.  I  addressed  nry  dear  children  on 
the  mercy  of  God,  and  told  them  how  great  would 
be  our  happiness  in. heaven  when  we  should  all  sur- 
round the  throne  of  glory.  Requested  them  to  unite 
in  singing,  "Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings 
flow."  I  was  so  deeply  affected  that  I  found  it  dif- 
ficult to  set  the  tune.     Afterwards  we  joined  my 

dear  Mary  and  her  infant  A ,  and  now  there 

were  nine  of  us,  all  united  in  love.  Praised  be  the 
Lord. 

Dec.  22.  Death  of  Mrs.  Teveiull.  Our  joy  of 
yesterday  was  interrupted  this  morning  by  the  al- 
most sudden  death  of  our  dear  mother.  It  so  hap- 
pened in  the  providence  of  God  that  the  dear  and 
respected  old  lady,  who  once  endeavored  to  prevent 
my  becoming  the  husband  of  her  daughter,  had  long 
found  a  comfortable  retreat  in  my  house,  and  slit 
had  also  become  sincerely  attached  to  me. 


"WHO  MAKETH  THEE   TO  DIFFEK?  137 

CHAPTER   VII. 

"WHO    MAKETH  THEE   TO  DIFFEK?" 
1825  TO  1838 -AGE  51-64. 

January  1,  1825.  Sickness.  A  woman  Lad  been 
hired  to  nurse  my  dear  wife.  She  had  just  come 
from  nursing  a  man  who  had  died  of  typhus  fever, 
but  having  fumigated  her  rooms  she  was  not  sup- 
posed to  be  liable  to  convey  the  contagion.  About 
Christmas  day,  1824,  I  began  to  droop.  My  sur- 
geon entreated  me  to  take  wine  to  strengthen  me. 
I  positively  refused.  My  two  daughters  now  ap- 
peared to  be  declining  very  rapidly.  Mary  the 
worst.  At  this  juncture  the  nurseroaid  was  attack- 
ed and  soon  lost  her  senses,  while  I  was  in  great 
danger,  and  my  dear  wife  expected  to  be  bereft  of 
child  and  husband.  Dear  Mr.  Slatterie  came  over 
twice  from  Chatham  on  purpose  to  see  me.  He 
knelt-  at  my  bedside  and  earnestly  entreated  the 
Lord's  compassion.  During  the  fortnight  of  my  ex- 
treme illness  the  Lord  nursed  me  in  the  hollow  of 
his  hand,  and  prevented  any  wicked  thoughts  com- 
ing near  me.  I  lay  in  his  hand  like  a  little  child, 
and  my  heart  was  incessantly  overflowing  with  the 
Diost  intense  gratitude.  It  was  not  affliction,  but  a. 
continued  outpouring  of  mercy. 

When  I  partially  recovered,  Dr.  S prescribed 

wine  or  porter.     I  replied  that  I  neither  could  nor 


138  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

would  take  cither,  but  that  I  could  and  would  trust 
in  the  Lord  to  give  me  strength  without  wine  or 
porter.     I  knew  that  he  had  raised  up  Daniel  upon 
pulse  and  water,  and  he  could,  and  I  doubted  not 
would,  in  tender  mercy  do  as  much  for  me;  espec- 
ially as  it  was  my  heart's  desire  to  honor  the  Lord, 
whom  I  took  at  his  word :  "  Because  he  hath  set  his 
love  upon  me,  therefore  will  I  deliver  him;  I  will 
be  with  him  in  trouble,  I  will  deliver  him,  and  honor 
him."     All  this  did  the  Lord  accomplish  in  my  case, 
and  caused  my  strength  to  return  without  the  aid  of 
strong  drink.     My  heart  did  indeed  rejoice  in  this 
faithfulness  of  the  Lord  to  a  poor  creature  who  had 
put  his  whole  trust  in  him,  in  opposition  to  the  advice 
kindly  tendered  by  the  physician.     There  was  a  still 
greater  mercy  developed  by  this  trial,  inasmuch  as 
the  Lord  proved  that  he  had  removed  every  dispo- 
sition towards  drinking  wine ;  for  had  this  propensi- 
ty only  lain  dormant,  how  gladly  would  sinful  nature 
have  embraced  the  opportunity.     But  no,  the  Lord 
had  completed  the  work  of  his  own  hands,  and  to 
his  name  be  all  the  praise.* 

May  3.    A  trip  to  France.     My  health  had  con- 

*  Some  may  regard  the  autobiographer's  refusal  to  take  wine 
medicinally,  and  his  confidence  that  God  would  restore  him  without 
it,  as  the  error  of  enthusiasm.  But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
in  certain  cases  the  smallest  indulgence  in  alcoholic  drinks  arouses 
the  old  passion,  to  subdue  which  total  abstinence  as  a  means  is 
absolutely  essential  Many  reclaimed  drunkards  have  gone  back 
to  their  former  habits  of  excess  through  taking  wine  medicinally. 
Then:  may  be  cases  where  it  is  far  better  to  run  the  physical  risk 
than  (lie  moral  The  present  instance  was  one  of  these.  At  the 
same  time  it,  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  what  is  now  known  as 
"teetotalism,"  renounces  wine  as  a  beverage  only. 


"WHO  MAKETH  THEE  TO  DIFFER?"      139 

linued  gradually  to  amend,  but  my  friends  insisted 
on  my  absenting  myself  entirely  from  business,  that 
I  might  enjoy  the  benefit  of  a  few  days  at  the  sea- 
side ;  therefore  on  Tuesday,  the  3d  of  May,  I  set  out 
for  Dover.  The  next  morning  I  arose  in  excellent 
health,  knelt  before  the  Lord,  read  the  fourteenth 
chapter  of  John,  and  at  seven  walked  round  Dover 
harbor  down  to  the  sea,  and  put  up  prayer  and 
praise  to  the  Lord  while  the  foaming  waves  were 
rolling  at  my  feet.  I  gave  a  "Sinner's  Friend"  to 
each  of  three  sailors  who  were  watching  the  ships, 
and  then  returned  to  my  inn  to  breakfast.  At  Calais 
I  was  struck  with  the  surprising  difference  between 
the  manners  and  customs  of  people  who  resided  at 
so  short  a  distance  from  each  other.  It  appeared 
as  though  one  had  got  into  another  world.  In  the 
evening  I  strolled  through  the  streets  much  pleased 
with  the  happiness  which  seemed  to  pervade  all 
ranks.  Not  a  sad  countenance  to  be  seen.  I  sat 
down  on  a  bench  and  watched  the  old  men  smoking 
their  pipes  at  their  doors  chatting  with  their  wives, 
while  the  children  were  playing  around  them — all 
happy.  I  thought  of  my  own  dear  wife  and  chil- 
dren, praying  the  Lord  to  bless  them.  At  Boulogne, 
having  paraded  the  streets,  I  turned  my  horse  tow- 
ards Bonaparte's  pillar.  The  sun  was  shining  in 
splendor,  the  larks  were  singing  melodiously  ovei 
my  head,  and  the  whole  scenery  was  so  enlivening 
that  as  I  rode  along  I  put  up  a  fervent  prayer  ol 
praise  and  thanksgiving  to  my  gracious  God,  en- 
treating him  to  keep  me  holy  and  fill  my  heart  with 
heavenly  love  for  Christ's  sake.     As  the  vessel  enter- 


140  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

ed  Dover  harbor,  I  poured  out  my  heart  in  praise  for 
God's  mi  rev  iu  having  preserved  ni}T  going  out  and 
my  coming  in.  Blessed  be  his  name.  I  had  thought 
much  of  the  Lord  during  my  journey,  and  my  heart 
was  continually  lifted  up  to  him  to  preserve  me  from 
every  evil  thought  and  way.  Ho  did  preserve  me. 
Arrived  in  safety  at  my  own  house,  I  returned  thanks 
to  agraciousGod  for  finding  my  health  and  strength 
greatly  increased  by  this  excursion,  though  it  had 
been  for  only  four  days  and  a  half. 

Tuesday,  Jan.  24, 1826.  Forty  years !  On  Tues- 
day, Jan.  24,  178G — forty  years  ago,  the  same  day 
of  the  week  and  the  same  day  of  the  month— I  left 
my  father's  house  on  Snow  Hill,  London,  and  came 
to  the  house  I  now  occupy,  a  little  errand-boy  not 
twelve  years  old.  Then  I  was  the  youngest  in  the 
house ;  now  the  oldest,  and  raised  up  to  be  master 
over  all.  I  know  not  how  to  express  my  gratitude 
when  reflecting  on  the  goodness  of  God  during  so 
many  years.  Rebellion  and  ingratitude  not  only 
marked  my  younger  days,  but  have  reached  even 
to  my  grey  hairs,  and  yet  I  live,  and  am  not  cut 
down  as  a  curnberer  of  the  ground.  Yes,  I  live; 
but  it  is  in,  through,  and  by  my  blessed  Jesus  that 
I  live,  resting  on  him  who  has  borne  with  my  man- 
ners in  the  wilderness  for  forty  years,  and  by  whose 
mercy  I  have  been  raised  from  the  depths  of  hell  to 
delight  in  the  way  of  the  Lord  my  God. 

"Jesus  sought  me  when  a  stranger, 
Wandering  from  the  fold  of  God , 
He,  to  rescue  me  from  danger, 
Interposed  his  precious  blood." 


"WHO  JIAKETH  THEE   TO  DIFFER'?"      141 

Precious  to  me  indeed ;  and  Oil  may  I  never  lose 
the  influence  of  that  blessed  Holy  Spirit,  by  which 
my  heart  is  quickened,  cheered,  and  warmed  into  a 
flame  of  heavenly  love.  To  the  Lord  be  all  the 
praise.  "O  Lord,  truly  I  am  thy  servant;  for  thou 
hast  loosed  my  bonds,  and  brought  up  my  soul  from 
the  grave,  and  kept  me  alive,  thab  I  should  not  go 
down  to  the  pit." 

My  former  companions  in  iniquity,  where  are 
they  ?  Tremendous  thought !  Almost  all  cut  down 
in  their  sins  in  early  life,  while  I  remain  to  tell  the 
wondrous  tale  of  redeeming  love.  Of  eleven  young 
men  who,  with  myself,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  rioted 
in  all  manner  of  sin,  often  sitting  together  around 
the  same  table,  drinking  and  singing  and  swearing, 
of  these  eleven  not  one  is  left ;  the  whole  of  them 
have  passed  into  eternity  without  a  shadow  of  hope 
or  the  least  desire  to  know  the  Lord.  How  marvel- 
lous then  are  my  mercies,  and  how  great  my  respon- 
sibility. I  have  been  spared  to  study  the  word  of 
God  with  great  delight  and  with  constant  prayer, 
searching  every  word  of  the  sacred  pages  with  an 
increasing  appetite,  earnestly  desiring  to  have  the 
precepts  of  the  Lord  bound  around  nry  heart  as  the 
rule  of  my  life  in  all  things,  that  I  may  live  to  his 
glory  and  to  the  honor  of  his  beloved  Son.  But  I 
must  refrain.  There  is  no  end  to  this  blessed 
theme. 

Awful  change!  Why  not  John  Vine  Hall?   Only 

the  mercy  of  God.     Mr.  G ,  a  student  at  Pi 

college,  preached  the  gospel;  but  afterwards  turned 
wine-merchant,  became  a  drunkard,  and  a  cruel  1ms- 


142  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

hand.  Died  in  a  hospital,  aged  thirty- three.  Was 
once  a  good-natured  man, but  became  cruel  through 
strong  drink.  Why  was  it  not  I?  Oh  how  great 
are  my  obligations  to  the  mercy  and  grace  of  God  ! 

Sept.  1.   To  the  Hon.  S T :  "Perhaps  I 

cannot  do  "better  than  open  my  heart  before  you 
and  detail  my  own  once  miserable  case,  and  thus 
convince  you  how  truly  desirous  I  am  to  assist  you 
out  of  the  snare  of  the  devil.  Sometimes  I  sank 
into  the  dreadful  practice  of  drinking  two  bottles 
of  wine  per  day,  for  ten  or  twelve  days  in  succes- 
sion, rendering  myself  unfit  for  business  or  society, 
as  well  as  exciting  such  a  nervous  irritability  of 
temper,  that  I  was  waspish  and  cruel  even  to  those 
whom  at  other  times  I  most  tenderly  loved.  After 
so  terrible  an  indulgence  and  abuse  of  the  mercies 
of  God,  I  frequently,  when  quite  alone,  saw  the 
most  extraordinary  phantoms  dancing  before  my 
eyes,  eluding  my  grasp,  while  strange  noises  and 
voices  assailed  my  ears,  drawing  me  into  conversa- 
tion, so  that  I  became  nearly  hke  a  person  in  a 
state  of  insanity;  and  when  I  recovered  from  these 
fits  of  intemperance,  I  was  so  enraged  with  myself 
that  I  could  not  endure  the  sight  or  conversation 
of  my  dearest  friends.  I  have  envied  the  very  dogs 
in  the  streets.  I  appeared  to  be  lost  even  beyond 
the  reach  of  hope.  At  last  the  late  excellent  Dr. 
Day  was  consulted  as  to  the  possibility  of  affording 
relief  to  overcome  so  dreadful  a  propensity  by  the 
use  of  medicine.  The  doctor  gave  a  favorable  an- 
swer, and  the  Lord  made  we  willing  to  submit  to 
any  trial,  and  I  placed  myself  entirely  under  the 


"WHO  MAKETH  THEE  TO  DIFFEK?"      143 

care  of  this  dear  physician,  whose  prescription, 
under  the  immediate  blessing  of  God,  accompanied 
with  fervent  prayer,  enabled  me  in  the  course  of  six 
months  to  discontinue  the  use  of  wine  or  spirituous 
liquors.  My  life  has  been  ten  years  redeemed  from 
destruction,  as  well  as  crowned  with  loving-kind- 
ness and  tender  mercy,  and  I  am  now  the  living 
monument  of  the  power  and  mercy  of  that  gracious 
God  who  is  become  my  light  and  my  salvation,  and 
who  will  become  yours  also,  my  dear  sir,  if  you  will 
only  put  your  trust  in  him  and  submit  to  be  guided 
by  his  counsel.  He  will  do  so  for  the  sake  of  his 
beloved  Son.  Arouse  yourself  then.  Think  what 
you  are  and  are  likely  to  be  in  society ;  but  Oh, 
think  also  what  you  must  become  if  you  live  and 
die  in  sin. 

"I  took  between  three  hundred  and  four  hundred 
bottles  of  steel-draughts  in  six  months,  and  had  I 
taken  five  thousand,  the  result  would  have  been  a 
rich  reward.  I  have  now  dealt  with  you  as  though 
you  were  my  own  son.  Think,  Oh  think  of  your 
poor  soul.  You  may  die  to-morrow,  or  this  day. 
Oh  then  set  out  instantly  for  the  kingdom  of  heav- 
en, and  may  the  blessing  of  God  attend  you.  You 
may  be  made  whole  if  you  are  but  willing.  The 
way  is  now  clearly  pointed  out  to  you  by  one  who 
has  proved  the  efficacy  of  that  way,  and  who  has 
been  in  a  thousand  times  worse  condition  than  your- 
self, but  has  been  long  restored  to  be  a  comfort  and 

*  Sulphate  of  iron,  5  grains  ;  magnesia,  10  gr.  ;  peppermint- 
water,  11  drachms ;  spirit  of  nutmeg,  1  drachm.  This  forms  one 
draught ;  two  draughts  to  be  taken  each  day. 


744  JOHN   TINE    HALL. 

encouragement  to  others,  and  who  prays  the  Lord 
to  bless  you  with  a  firm  determination  to  forsake 
every  idol  for  the  sake  of  Christ." 

Aran.  22.  1828.  We  had  the  privilege  of  enter- 
taining at  our  house  the  Rev.  Rowland  Hill,  eighty- 
three  3'ears  of  age. 

Feb.  25,  1837.  Poor  Bob  S .     This  man  had 

been  one  of  my  old  wicked  companions  in  very  early 
days.  He  was  now  an  inmate  of  the  workhouse- 
hospital,  where  I  had  attended  during  the  last  five 
years  on  the  Sabbath  to  read  the  Scriptures  and 
exhort  the  people  to  turn  to  the  Lord.  He  was  one 
of  my  hearers  during  the  last  three  years,  and  it 
pleased  God  to  touch  his  heart  while  he  heard  from 
his  old  companion  the  joyful  news  of  salvation. 
Many  a  time  have  I  seen  tears  of  repentance  roll 
down  his  cheeks  when  speaking  of  the  mercy  of 
God  to  his  soul  as  the  vilest  and  most  undeserving. 
He  was  taken  ill,  and  confined  to  his  bed  when  I 
visited  him.  Two  days  before  he  died  he  said  to 
me  with  intense  feeling,  "Christ  is  the  .greatest 
comfort  I  ever  felt  in  my  life."  He  then  put  up  his 
hands  in  fervent  prayer,  to  which  I  added  my  heart's 
Amen.  He  prayed  like  a  man  who  felt  the  need  of 
a  Saviour. 

Feb.  28.  This  day  I  had  the  thrilling  pleasure 
of  receiving  intelligence  from  Mr.  G of  Glas- 
gow, that  he  was  about  to  publish  "The  Sinner's 
Friend"  in  the  Gaelic  language,  for  the  use  of  the 
Highlanders.  The  above  encouraging  testimony 
brought  me  on  my  knees  before  my  gracious  God 
for  this  new  testimony  of  his  mercy  and  goodness. 


"WHO   MAKETH   THEE  TO  DIFFER?"      145 

Maech  10.  This  day  it  lias  pleased  the  Lord  to 
grant  me  the  great  privilege  of  witnessing  an  edi- 
tion of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend "  in  the  Irish  lan- 
guage, translated  under  the  direction  of  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  bishop  of  Meath.  Oh  may  the  divine : 
blessing  attend  every  copy  in  that  benighted  coun- 
try. I  humbly  dedicate  these  to  the  Lord  with  ear- 
nest prayer  and  thanksgiving. 

May  5.  At  the  Tract  Meeting  in  Exeter  Hall, 
the  Eev.  J.  Williams  said  that  "  he  held  in  his  hand 
a  valuable  tract,  entitled  '  The  Sinner's  Friend.' 
The  editor  had  told  him  that  if  he  would  translate 
it  into  the  Tahitian  language,  the  means  should  be 
furnished  of  enabling  him  to  print  twenty  thousand. 
He  had  accomplished  the  work,  and  the  tract  was 
published." 

Sept.  22.  This  day  completes  twenty-one  years 
since  even  so  much  as  a  teaspoonful  of  wine  of  any 
description  has  ever  passed  the  surface  of  my 
tongue.  On  the  contrary,  the  very  smell  of  strong 
drink  is  most  abhorrent  to  my  feelings.  Oh  the 
wondrous  change  which  the  grace  of  God  can  effect 
upon  the  renewed  sonl !  I  never  drink  any  thing 
but  tea,  or  coffee,  or  milk,  and  yet  at  sixt}--three 
years  of  age  I  am  stronger  in  body  and  mind  than 
I  was  thirty  years  ago  when  indulging  in  all  kinds 
of  strong  drink.  But  it  is  not  my  body  only  which 
has  been  strengthened,  but  my  soul,  blessed  be  God , 
has  been  growing  in  grace,  producing  the  most  ex- 
quisite enjoyments  in  this  new  life  devoted  to  God. 
During  all  this  time  my  aim  has  been  to  direct  poor 
sinners  to  the  "  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  awaj  the 

Jc).n  Vln*  FT. II  7 


146  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

sin  of  the  world,"  and  the  Lord  has  been  pleased  to 
bless  my  efforts  in  the  most  astonishing  manner. 
To  the  Lord  alone  be  all  the  praise,  and  to  him  I 
desire  most  humbly  to  devote  every  power  of  body, 
soul,  and  spirit.  In  Jesus,  my  salvation,  my  only 
hope  and  trust,  I  desire  ever  to  be  found,  in  full 
assurance  of  faith  that  he  will  never  cast  me  away 
from  his  presence,  nor  suffer  my  soul  to  be  lost. 
His  word  standeth  sure,  and  I  am  safe  in  him — in 
his  righteousness,  not  in  my  own,  nor  in  any 
change  of  heart  or  life,  but  solely,  wholly,  and 
fully  in  the  righteousness  of  the  everlasting  Son  of 
God. 

Jan.  14,  1838.  Dear  Mr.  Williams,  who  trans- 
lated "The  Sinner's  Friend"  into  Tahitian,  dined 
with  me  this  Sabbath,  and  I  presented  him  with 
the  stereotype  plates,  for  which  he  was  exceedingly 
thankful.  He  returns  to  the  South  Seas  in  a  few 
weeks,  taking  with  him  20,000  copies  of  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend"  in  the  Tahitian  language.  May  the 
Lord  be  pleased  to  bless  every  copy  for  Christ's 
sake. 

Fragments  of  time.  How  little  do  people  in 
general  think  how  much  may  be  gained  by  gather- 
ing up  the  fragments  of  time.  In  my  walk  every 
morning  from  my  cottage  on  Penenden  Heath  to 
Maidstone,  I  thought  I  might  gain  food  for  my  soul 
by  reading  the  New  Testament  for  ten  minutes. 
Being  quite  alone,  I  enjoyed  this  refreshing  repast 
almost  every  day,  blessing  and  praising  the  Lord 
for  giving  me  such  an  appetite  for  heavenly  food, 
and  it  was  with  no  small  gratitude  that  I  found  this 


"WHO  MAKETII  THEE   TO  DIFFER?"      147 

morning  that  I  had  thus  completed  reading  the 
whole  of  the  New  Testament. 

May  9.  Deep  conviction  of  sin.  In  consequence 
of  my  son's  absence,  I  slept  at  the  house  in  High- 
street.  When  I  arose  this  morning  surrounded  by 
mercies,  not  the  least  of  which  I  had  deserved,  1 
felt  my  heart  overwhelmed  within  me,  and  poured 
out  my  soul  before  the  Lord  nearly  as  follows  : 

"  Unto  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul  this 
morning,  in  the  very  place,  in  the  very  room  where 
I  have  committed  so  much  iniquity.  On  this  very 
spot  do  I  desire  to  sink  into  the  earth  with  shame 
at  the  remembrance  of  my  past  sins,  crying  out, 
1  Unclean,  unclean ;  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner !'  And,  O  Lord,  I  pray  thee  to  cleanse  me  from 
all  my  pollution,  in  the  name  of  him  who  has  given 
me  hope  by  declaring  that  they  who  come  unto  thee 
by  Him  shall  in  no  wise  be  cast  out.  Help  me,  O 
Lord,  to  rise  above  every  fear,  and  do  thou  merci- 
fully destroy  within  me  all  sinful  inclinations,  and 
let  holiness  to  the  Lord  fill  my  heart  and  be  exem- 
plified by  a  happy  obedience  to  thy  commands. 
Oh  keep  me  humble,  watchful,  penitent,  prayerful, 
and  believing,  that  I  may  live  increasingly  to  thy 
glory.  And  Oh  thou  blessed  Spirit,  come  and  pre- 
pare my  heart  for  the  ever  blessed  Son  of  God. 
And  Oh  thou  blessed  Jesus,  thou  who  art  the  Chief 
among  ten  thousand,  the  Altogether  Lovely,  Oh 
come  and  abide  in  me,  and  help  me  to  abide  in  thee 
as  a  branch  of  the  true  vine,  bringing  forth  much 
fruit  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God.  Oh  my  God, 
preserve  me  in  my  eyes,  thoughts,  and  desires,  that 


148  JOHN   VINE    HALL 

all  my  ways  may  please  tliee,  and  that  I  may  bless 
thee  at  all  times  ami  have  thy  praise  continually  in 
my  mouth." 

I  had  arisen  from  my  slumber  in  the  very  cham- 
ber where,  in  the  days  of  my  youth,  nearly  fifty 
years  ago,  I  had  often  deeply  sinned  against  the 
Lord ;  and  finding  myself  now  in  the  way  to  Zion, 
I  felt  my  past  sins  rush  upon  my  mind  in  all  the 
horror  of  their  depravity,  and  this  recollection 
brought  me  to  cry  out  the  more  earnestly  for  tho 
blood  of  Christ  to  wash  my  filthy  soul  from  its 
abominable  pollution.  I  do  trust  that  the  Lord 
did  indeed  hear  my  prayer,  the  breathing  of  a  con- 
trite soul.  My  sin  comes  before  me  so  powerfully 
every  morning  of  my  life,  that  when  I  look  upon  it 
I  am  astonished  that  I  have  not  destroyed  niyself 
by  my  own  hand.  No  one  can  possibly  conceive  of 
the  bitter  anguish  of  my  mind.  O  God,  remember 
not  my  sins.  Hide  thy  face  from  them.  Blot  them 
out  of  the  book  of  thy  remembrance.  Oh  merci- 
fully grant  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation.  Oh  the 
agony,  the  agony,  the  agony  of  an  accusing  con- 
science. O  Lord  my  God,  hold  me  fast  for  Christ's 
sake.  I  cannot  look  back  upon  my  past  sins  but 
with  an  abhorrence  which  no  language  can  reach, 
no  heart  feel  like  my  own.  "God  be  merciful  to 
me  a  sinner,"  is  ever  uppermost  and  accompanies 
me  everywhere — never  absent.  Oh  what  should  1 
do  without  the  appropriation  of  the  precious  blood 
of  Christ  to  my  own  individual  case.  I  must  per- 
ish. Were  I  given  to  intemperance,  suicide  would 
immediately  follow. 


"WHO  MAKETH  THEE   TO   DIFFER?"      149 

June  14.  Blessed  for  ever  be  tlic  Lord  for  his 
great  goodness  and  patience  in  sparing  my  life  to 
witness  an  edition  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  the 
Manx  language,  for  the  poor  people  in  the  Isle  of 
Man.  By  the  kindness  of  a  few  followers  of  the 
Son  of  God,  I  shall  have  the  happy  privilege  of 
sending  five  thousand  copies  gratuitously. 

July  19.  Twentieth  anniversary  of  the  Lord's 
mercy.  "  He  shall  tread  upon  the  lion  and  the 
adder,  the  young  lion  and  the  dragon,"  strong  drink, 
"  shall  he  trample  under  feet."  "  I  will  deliver  him, 
and  honor  him.  With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him, 
and  show  him  my  salvation."  Surely  the  Lord  has 
mercifully  and  abundantly  verified  his  own  word  in 
my  own  individual  case,  and  this  blessed  day  testi- 
fies that  twenty  whole  years  have  passed  away  since 
I  discontinued  the  use  of  porter,  of  which  I  was  ex- 
tremely fond ;  but  not  a  drop  has  entered  my  lips 
since  the  18th  day  of  July,  1818.  But  this  is  only 
part  of  the  Lord's  mercies  towards  me.  He  has 
kept  me  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand,  filling  my  heart 
with  increasing  love  to  him,  making  it  my  supreme 
delight  to  make  known  his  salvation.  He  has  also 
preserved  to  me  my  dear,  affectionate  wife,  that  best 
of  gifts,  except  his  beloved  Son,  whose  affectionate 
tenderness  and  patienco  were  with  me  in  all  my 
wretchedness ;  and  when  sunk  in  transgression  and 
shame,  this  dear  wife  never  forsook  mo  a  single 
hour,  but  continued  her  kind  attentions  with  ear- 
nest prayer  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  pity 
and  have  mercy  upon  me,  and  deliver  me  out  of  the 
hand  of  my  strong  enemy.   The  Lord  has  answered 


150  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

these  prayers  to  tlic  rejoicing  of  her  heart.  But 
when  I  recollect  my  former  unkindness,  the  effect 
of  strong  drink,  against  this  dear  wife,  my  heart  is 
agonized  almost  to  distraction ;  grief  is  never  ab- 
sent from  my  mind,  and  I  should  certainly  take 
away  my  own  life  were  I  to  fall  into  the  sin  of 
drunkenness  as  heretofore.  I  mourn  in  secret.  I 
strive  to  keep  it  from  everybody.  I  dare  not,  can- 
not disclose  the  whole  of  my  agony.  I  mourn  in 
the  midst  of  plenty,  and  groan  in  the  midst  of  gos- 
pel privileges,  even  with  my  soid  truly  devoted  to 
God.  Well  may  I  cry  out,  "Why  art  thou  cast 
down,  Oh  my  soul?"  "My  life  is  smitten  down  to 
the  ground."  "  But  why  should  a  man  complain 
for  the  punishment  of  his  sins?"  Still  I  would  cry 
out  in  the  name  of  Christ,  "  God  be  merciful  to  mo 
a  sinner."  Notwithstanding  all  this  painful  experi- 
ence, no  one  but  the  Lord  can  tell  the  yearning  I 
have  increasingly  after  souls  to  bring  them  to 
Christ. 

The  Kcv.  T.  W,  C ,  dean  of  Trinity  col- 
lege, Cambridge,  wrote  me  the  particulars  of  the 
conversion  of  a  profligate  young  man,  converted, 
by  especial  mercy,  by  reading  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  portion  page  10,  "Pardon  for  the  worst 
of  sinners."  Blessed,  ever  blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord. 

French  and  German  editions.  The  Lord  in  hi& 
tender  mercy  lias  been  pleased  to  put  it  into  the 
hearts  of  two  pious  ladies  to  send  me  an  offer  to 
translate  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  gratuitously  into 
these  languages,  if  I  would  undertake  to  publish 


"WHO  MAKETH  THEE  TO  DIFFER?"      151 

them,  which  I  have  gratefully  assented  to  do.   May 
God  add  his  blessing  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

Oct.  14.  America.  Received  a  letter  from  New 
York,  stating  that  the  Tract  Society  at  New  York 
has  printed  in  the  whole  G1,000  copies  of  "The  Sin- 
ner's Friend,"  and  91,000  copies  of  my  speech  at  the 
Temperance  meeting  at  Exeter  Hall. 


152  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

CHAPTEE  VIII. 

•'BRINGING  IN  SHEAVES." 
1839  TO  1841-AGE  65-67. 

Januaky  21,  1S39.  No  tongue  on  earth  can  tell 
the  rapture  of  niy  soul  when  speaking  for  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  Every  power  in  mo  all  on  fire,  in  a 
perfect  blaze,  when  telling  of  redeemiug  love.  But 
when  I  look  at  myself,  and  see  the  blackness  of  my 
heart  and  remember  my  dreadful  sins,  my  soul  sinks 
within  me,  and  had  I  not  a  clear  view  of  the  mighty, 
the  almighty  sacrifice  for  sin,  I  should  sink  into  de- 
spair. But  Christ  says,  "No,  I  have  redeemed  thee, 
poor  sinner.  Thou  art  mine,  and  none  shall  ever 
pluck  thee  out  of  my  hands."  Thanks  be  to  God  for 
his  unspeakable  gift.  I,  once  a  poor  drunken  blas- 
phemer, have  now  been  many  years  a  deacon  of  the 
church  of  Christ.  Oh  marvellous  mercy !  Surely  I 
may  well  say, 

"Who  could  believe  such  lips  could  praise, 
Or  think  my  dark  and  winding  ways 
Should  ever  lead  to  God?" 

March  14.  This  day  commences  my  sixty-sixth 
year — a  poor  sinful  creature,  laden  with  iniquity, 
yet  overwhelmed  by  the  mercy  and  goodness  of  my 
gracious  God,  who  has  plucked  me  indeed  as  a 
brand  from  the  burning.  On  Monday  evening, 
March  11,  I,  in  the  absence  of  our  beloved  pastor, 
was   presiding   at  the   pra3rer-meeting,  and   while 


"BKINGING   IN   SHEAVES."  153 

standing  at  the  desk  reading  the  blessed  word  of 
God,  I  was  quite  overcome  with  the  recollection 
that  on  the  same  evening,  March  11,  1811,  I  was 
wandering,  a  poor  drunkard  in  a  dark  night,  among 
the  coal-mines  at  Stourbridge,  and  having  passed 
and  escaped  these  horrible  pits,  I  rolled  down  the 
bank  of  a  canal,  and  in  one  moment  more,  had  not 
the  Lord  held  me,  should  have  rolled  over  into  the 
canal  and  should  have  been  lost  for  ever.  Is  it  any 
wonder  that  I  should  have  felt  the  vast  difference  ? 
Why,  the  very  stones  would  cry  out  were  I  to  hold 
my  tongue.  How  wonderful  that  such  a  wretch 
should  have  been  raised  up  from  the  veiy  depths  of 
hell  to  send  invitations  to  tens  of  thousands  of  sin- 
ners to  seek  the  Lord;  and  more  wonderful  still, 
that  the  Lord  should  have  blessed  those  invitations 
to  the  conversion  of  many  souls.  Paul  says  that  he 
was  raised  up  as  a  pattern  of  long-suffering  to  those 
who  should  hereafter  believe.  I  am  sure  that  I 
have  been  raised  up  as  a  witness  of  the  forbearance 
and  long-suffering  of  an  offended  God,  that  no  sin- 
ner, however  vile,  may  despair.  I  returned  home 
weeping  with  an  agony  of  gratitude,  talking  with 
the  Lord,  telling  him  of  his  marvellous  loving-kind- 
ness, and  praying  him  to  keep  and  preserve  me 
froin  pride  or  an}r  kind  of  sin.  I  felt  like  a  poor 
wicked  child  before  a  tender  father — a  prodigal 
returned.  God  be  praised.  Oh  the  matchless, 
boundless  love  of  God  ! 

I  have  always  before  me  the  remembrance  of 
sin,  filling  my  heart  with  unutterable  anguish.    But 

what  astonishing  things  has  the  Lord  been  pleased 

7* 


154  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

to  effect  by  the  instrumentality  of  my  little  book! 
What  numbers  of  poor  sinners  have  been  brought 
to  seek  the  Lord  by  this  simple  means !  My  Lord 
has  also  given  me  a  son  to  be  an  ambassador  for 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  But  the  marvellous  change 
is  all  of  God,  to  -whom  I  burn  with  ardent  desire 
that  every  breath  may  be  to  his  glory,  through  my 
gracious  Redeemer,  now  my  chiefest  delight,  ever 
in  my  heart,  a  million,  million  times  welcome  guest, 
there  to  live  and  reign. 

The  Rev.  J.  Black,  Dunkeld,  June  13,  1839, 
wrote  me  the  blessed  intelligence  of  a  remarkable 
conversion  of  a  colonel  by  the  reading  of  "The  Sin- 
ner's Friend."  I  fell  on  my  knees  with  tears,  clasp- 
ing my  hands,  crying,  "Lord,  accept  my  thanks, 
accept  my  thanks,  and  keep  me  humble.  Oh  keep 
me  humble,  but  accept  my  thanks  for  Christ's  bless- 
ed sake." 

June,  1839.  That  dear  servant  of  God,  the  Rev; 

H.  P of  the  Established  church,  has  been  giving 

a  lecture  every  Wednesday  evening  from  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend,"  and  in  a  letter  of  the  5th  of  June,  1839, 
writes  me,  "We  shall  take  the  last  page  of  'The 
Sinner's  Friend'  on  Wednesday  evening,  July  3. 
And  now  what  I  desire  is,  that  you  write  us  a  letter 
which  I  may  read  to  my  congregation  on  conclud- 
ing your  little  work.  Rejoice  with  me,  my  Mend, 
that  a  young  female,  about  eighteen  years  of  age, 
has  been  turned  from  the  power  of  sin  and  Satan 
unto  God  by  my  lecture  on  the  thirteenth  page  of 
'The  Sinner's  Friend.'" 

July  15.  French  edition,  3,000.    Blessed  be  God 


"BKIXGING   IN   SHEAVES.'  155 

for  his  great  goodness  that  a  French  translation  of 
"The  Sinner's  Friend"  was  published  this  day,  and 
humbly  dedicated  to  the  living  God.  Oh  may  his 
rich  mercy  accompany  this  little  work,  now  circu- 
lated in  ten  languages  in  various  parts  of  the  world, 
to  the  comfort  and  conversion  of  many  sinners. 

I  stop  and  ask  myself  this  question :  Am  I  doing 
these  things  from  sincere  love  to  God  and  to  his 
beloved  Son;  or  am  I  led  away  by  any  desire  to 
obtain  the  good  opinion  of  my  fellow-sinners?  I 
am  so  jealous  of  myself,  that  I  dare  not  answer  the 
question,  but  cast  myself  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and 
like  poor  Peter,  say,  "Lord,  thou  alone  knowest 
whether  I  love  thee  or  not."  But  I  do  pray  most 
earnestly  that  my  whole  heart  and  the  warmest 
affections  of  my  soul  may  be  entirely  and  unreserv- 
edly given  up  to  thee. 

July  30, 1839.  To  Col.  H .   "Like  you,  I  was 

the  fiddle  of  every  convivial  part}r.  I  could  take 
the  head  of  the  table,  and  sit  all  night,  drinking, 
swearing,  playing  cards,  and  every  abomination. 
At  a  ball  I  was  always  sure  of  a  partner,  because  I 
could  dance  well  and  was  never  tired ;  therefore  the 
cry  was,  '  Oh,  we  must  have  Mr.  Hall,  for  he  will 
keep  us  all  alive.'  But  Oh,  how  does  my  heart 
now  grieve  to  think  of  these  things ;  and  how  aston- 
ished am  I  to  think  that  God  did  not  cut  me  down 
in  my  horrid  blasphemies  and  daring  rebellion 
against  him;  and  then  to  think  of  the  wondrous 
change !  The  blasphemer  an  ambassador  for 
Christ !  The  drunkard  a  Bechabite  !  The  prayer- 
less  rebel  presiding  at  a  prayer-meeting ! 


166  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

"  'Wonders  of  grace  to  God  belong, 
Repeat  his  mercies  in  your  aonq.' 

The  companion  of  the  licentious  the  friend  of  the 
pious!  The  bawler  of  profane  songs  the  author  of 
'  The  Sinner's  Friend !'  Oh,  how  does  this  exalt 
the  glory  of  the  grace  of  God,  for  nothing  else  could 
possibly  effect  such  a  change.  How  does  it  exalt 
his  mercy — higher  than  the  heavens.  What  reason 
have  we  then  to  fear,  my  dear  friend,  that  God  will 
ever  leave  unfinished  that  which  he  has  so  mani- 
festly and  so  gloriously  begun  ?  Oh  no,  no,  never. 
But  then  those  evil  thoughts;  what  are  we  to  do 
with  them  ?  Why,  my  friend,  you  must  do  as  I  do 
with  them;  carry  them  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  the 
only  place  to  get  rid  of  them.  I  was  myself  most 
distressingly  plagued  with  fears  on  this  account  till 
I  read  '  Owen  on  Indwelling  Sin,'  and  here  I  found 
that  the  people  of  God  harassed  themselves  by  the 
expectation  that  they  were  to  get  rid  of  indwelling 
sin  before  they  get  to  heaven,  which  can  never  be 
the  case;  and  it  should  be  enough  for  them  to  know 
that,  although  sin  dwells  in  them,  yet,  by  the  grace 
of  God,  it  does  not  reign  over  them  as  it  once  did. 
This  gave  me  quite  a  new  light  upon  the  subject, 
and  made  me  content  to  be  always  fighting,  trust- 
ing in  the  Lord.  I  remember  also  hearing  a  dear 
silver-haired  preacher  of  the  gospel  comforting  his 
hearers  by  saying,  'The  devil  will  worry  the  saints 
liI  1  the  way  to  the  very  gate  of  heaven  ;  but,  blessed 
he  God,  he  can  never  get  in  after  them.'" 

Nov.  25.  This  morning  I  started  from  Maidstone 
at  nine  o'clock  on  a  journey  to  Norwich,  to  a  meet- 


"BRINGING   IN   SHEAVES."  157 

ing  of  the  Norwich  Union  Life  Office.  I  supplied 
my  bag  with  a  goodly  number  of  "The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  praying  for  opportunities.  There  were 
three  passengers  and  myself  in  the  coach,  and  be- 
fore we  had  got  four  miles  I  had  the  happiness  of 
introducing  the  subject  nearest  my  heart.  They 
listened  with  earnest  attention  to  what  I  had  to  say 
of  redeeming  love.  Early  next  morning  I  left  Lon- 
don by  the  Norwich  coach.  When  daylight  ap- 
peared I  began  to  look  round  upon  my  fellow-trav- 
ellers, but  was  no  way  encouraged.  We  went  on 
silently  for  about  five  miles,  when  I  took  out  a  copy 
of  "  The  Sinner's.  Friend,"  as  though  I  were  going 
to  read  it,  when  a  lady  passenger  immediately  said, 
"  You  have  got  a  most  interesting  little  book,  sir." 
"How  do  you  know  it  to  be  so,  madam?"  "Oh, 
sir,"  she  replied,  "I  know  it  well,  and  that  it  has 
had  a  most  astonishing  circulation."  The  lad}-  said 
she  knew  the  author,  naming  a  gentleman  of  Nor- 
wich. This  brought  on  the  desired  conversation, 
and  we  kept  on  praising  God  to  the  very  last  min- 
ute, as  the  coach  drove  up  the  streets  of  Norwich, 
and  then  my  fellow-passengers  gave  me  a  hearty 
shake  of  the  hand,  repeating  their  thanks. 

Mr.  T.  G took  me  to  a  large  meeting  of  the 

teachers  of  the  various  Sunday-schools.  How  great 
was  my  surprise  to  hear  my  own  name  pronounced 
by  the  chairman  as  the  author  of  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  and  that  I  would  address  a  few  words  to 
the  company.  I  arose  and  opened  my  mouth  for 
the  Lord,  who  mercifully,  as  he  always  does,  gave 
me  utterance,  and  I  hope  I  did  not  bring  any  dis- 


168  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

honor  upon  that  blessed  cause  which  I  so  dearly 
love.     Before  the  meeting  broke  up,  I  requested 

Mr.  G to  procure  three  hundred  copies  of  "  The 

Sinner's  Friend"  from  the  bookseller  in  Norwich, 
and  present  a  copy  to  each  person  in  the  room. 

Mr.  G took  me  with  him  the  next  morning 

to  a  select  prayer-meeting,  consisting  of  six  dear 
devoted  men  who  had  met  for  prayer  that  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Lord  might  attend  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  City  Mission,  at  which  it  was  planned  that  I 

should  speak.     Mr.  G then  took  me  with  him 

to  visit  a  poor  dying  woman  anxious  for  her  soul's 
conversion.  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  was  lying  on 
the  chair  by  her  bedside.      She  was  very  feeble, 

but  when  Mr.  G told  her  that  I  was  the  person 

who  wrote  "The  Sinner's  Friend,"  her  countenanco 
brightened  up  as  she  exclaimed,  "  Do  I  indeed  be- 
hold the  gentleman  who  wrote  that  book  which  has 
afforded  me  so  much  comfort?"  I  reminded  her 
of  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  had 
most  emphatically  declared,  "Him  that  cometh  to 
me  I  will  in  no  Aviso  cast  out,"  and,  "None  shall 
pluck  you  out  of  my  hand."  I  then  told  her,  if 
Satan  should  suggest  doubts  and  fears  to  her  mind 
as  to  her  safety,  to  look  immediately  upon  this  note 
of  hand,  signed,  "Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God," 
"  None  shall  pluck  you  out  of  my  hand." 

At  the  meeting  of  the  City  Mission  there  were 
upwards  of  one  thousand  persons.  In  the  strength 
of  the  Lord  I  boldly  declared  my  obligations  to 
God's  mercy,  and  then  brought  forth  four  instances 
of  the  value  of  missionary  efforts,  either  in  speaking 


"BRINGING   IN    SHEAVES."  159 

to  people  living  in  sin,  or  going  to  their  houses,  or 
being  faithful  at  their  bedside,  or  in  giving  a  tract. 
I  then  gave  an  account  of  the  Lord's  dealings  with 
my  own  soul,  and  said  that  the  way  of  my  deliver- 
ance was  so  wonderful,  that  it  would  appear  almosl 
as  a  fable  invented  for  effect ;  but  the  man  of  whom 
I  had  been  speaking,  as  I  had  spoken  in  the  third 
person,  was  now  alive  and  in  good  health;  then 
pausing  a  moment,  I  concluded  by  saying,  "And  it 
is  from  his  lips  you  now  hear  of  the  goodness  of 
that  God  whose  mercy  endureth  for  ever."  There 
was  a  dead  silence;  the  feelings  of  the  people  had 
been  wrought  up  to  a  high  pitch;  not  a  sound  was 
heard,  but  several  dear  people  upon  the  platform 
came  up  to  me  and  pressed  my  hand  in  the  most 
expressive  manner.  They  felt  the  goodness  of  the 
Lord;  so  did  I.  He  was  with  me  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end.  Praised  be  his  name.  One  gen- 
tleman came  up,  and  with  a  half  incredulous  inquiry 
asked  me  if  I  was  really  the  person  who  had  lain  at 
the  edge  of  the  canal. 

Feb.  25,  1840.  On  looking  into  my  journal  this 
morning,  I  turned  to  the  entry  made  on  the  loth  of 
March,  1812,  when  I  was  in  great  distress  on  ac- 
count of  my  sinful  course ;  and  on  reading  the  peti- 
tion which  the  Lord  at  that  time  put  into  my  heart, 
that  I  might  become  a  signal  monument  of  the 
power  and  goodness  of  God,  I  was  overwhelmed 
with  gratitude  at  his  wondrous  mercy  in  answering 
prayer  in  so  remarkable  a  manner,  that  for  upwards 
of  twenty-three  years  not  a  drop  of  wine  or  spirit- 
uous liquor  has  ever  passed  my  tongue,  and  that  I 


1G0  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

have  been  enabled  to  be  an  ambassador  of  Jesus 
Christ.  I  fell  on  my  knees  and  with  tears  of  grati- 
tude endeavored  to  thank  the  Lord  for  his  wondrous 
long-suffering.  Oh  what  encouragement  does  my 
case  afford  to  the  most  abandoned  sinner  to  cast 
himself  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  who  has  promised  that 
none  shall  be  cast  out  who  come  to  God  by  him. 
No  heart  was  ever  so  much  at  enmity  against  God 
as  mine;  and  yet  how  dearly  do  I  love  him  now, 
and  have  done  for  many  years.  This  is  all  his  own 
work,  not  mine.     Blessed  be  his  name. 

March  14.  This  day  commences  my  sixty-sev- 
enth year.  What  shall  I  say  of  the  goodness  and 
mercy  of  God  to  so  vile  a  sinner  ?  I  stand  astonished 
at  my  new  nature,  scarcely  believing  m}-  own  senses : 
that  I,  who  hated  holiness,  should  feel  the  most 
exquisite  as  well  as  the  most  unutterable  delight  in 
walking  in  the  ways  of  God;  that  this  blessed  feeling 
should  also  have  occupied  the  chief  place  in  my  heart 
for  upwards  of  twenty  years,  without  the  smallest 
diminution,  daily,  hourly,  momentarily  increasing, 
till  my  whole  soul  glows  with  a  constant  blaze  of 
heavenly  love.  I  cannot  hear  the  blessed  name  of 
the  Saviour  without  feeling  a  fire  within  me  stealing 
into  my  eyes  with  streams  of  gratitude  for  what  ho 
has  done  for  my  soul.  I  could  praise  him  for  ever. 
And  Oh,  how  many  opportunities  has  he  given  mo 
for  doing  this  within  the  last  }'ear,  in  journeys  by 
coaches  or  steam-boats,  or  otherwise;  and  how  has 
I  ■  heart  been  enraptured  in  such  opportunities  in 
proclaiming  to  persons  whom  I  had  never  seen  be- 
fore the  amazing  love  of  God  in  the  person  of  his 


"BRINGING   IN   SHEAVES."  161 

beloved  Son.  Oh  wondrous  grace,  matchless  mercy! 
Yes,  blessed  be  his  name,  I  am  his.  and  nothing 
shall  ever  separate  me  from  his  love. 

Jerusalem.  It  is  impossible  to  express  the  exqui- 
site pleasure  which  I  experienced,  May  29,  by  the 

receipt  of  a  letter  from  the  Itev.  J.  N --,  dated 

Mount  Zion.  He  proposes  to  translate  "The  Sin- 
ner's Friend  "  into  the  Hebrew  and  Arabic.  I  was 
overjoyed  at  the  letter,  which  I  laid  before  the  Lora 
on  my  knees,  with  thanksgiving  that  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend  "  had  been  accepted  in  that  very  city  where 
my  gracious  Redeemer  shed  his  blood  for  the  sins  of 
the  whole  world,  and  for  me.     Blessed  be  his  name. 

Mr.  A.  W went  to  France  on  June  4,  prin- 
cipally to  circulate  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  the 

French  language.     Mr.  "W took  five  hundred 

copies  for  that  purpose.  Oh  may  the  Lord  be  mer- 
cifully pleased  to  bless  every  copy  for  Jesus'  own 
sake.  Mr.  B has  been  circulating  "The  Sin- 
ner's Friend"  in  Spain,  from  whence  he  was  driven. 
"The  Christian  Spectator"  publishes  a  Papal  edict 
against  it. 

June  30.  This  day  the  seventy-first  edition  of 
"The  Sinner's  Friend"  was  published,  with  three 
entirely  new  portions  which  the  Lord  had  merci- 
fully put  into  my  heart  to  write.  I  took  one  of 
these  copies  in  my  hand,  and  kneeling  before  the 
Lord,  humbly  dedicated  them  to  him  with  earnest 
prayer  for  his  blessing  to  attend  every  copy. 

July  13.  Wrote  Dr.  Pinkerton  that  I  wished  the 
Frankfort  Tract  Society  to  adopt  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend;"  that  I  would  send  them  gratuitously  one 


162  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

thousand  copies;  and  also  would  present  them  with 
the  stereotype  plates.  I  laid  my  letter  and  the  little 
book  before  the  Lord,  and  on  my  knees  entreated 
him  to  influence  the  Committee  of  the  Frankfort 
society  to  adopt  "The  Sinner's  Friend." 

Aug.  13.  For  a  long  time  my  heart  has  beer, 
irresistibly  drawn  to  the  exercise  of  prayer  about  the 
middle  of  the  day.  When  the  men  have  gone  to 
their  dinner,  I  have  retired  to  the  printing-office  for 
a  few  minutes  to  kneel  before  the  Lord  with  thank- 
fulness and  praise  for  the  continuance  of  his  great 
and  many  mercies.  I  have  felt  it  refreshing  thus  to 
hold  communion  with  God  in  the  very  midst  of 
business,  to  arm  me  against  the  many  vexations 
which  momentarily  assail  me.  I  am  sure  it  is  good 
often  to  run  to  the  Lord,  to  take  shelter  under  the 
shadow  of  his  almighty  wings,  that  he  may  protect 
us  from  ourselves  as  well  as  from  the  world  and 
Satan. 

Aug.    16.    This    day    I    received   from   "W ■ 

11 ,  Esq.,  Hussian  merchant  at  St.  Petersburg,  a 

letter  saying  his  son-in-law  "  gave  '  The  Sinner's 

Friend'  to  Baron  H ,  a  colonel  in  the  Grand 

Duke's  regiment.  He  is  delighted  with  it,  and  calls 
it  the  best  epitome  of  the  gospel  that  ho  ever  saw. 
His  copy  is  lent  out,  and  is  going  a  round  among 
his  friends ;  but  he  wants  a  French  copy,  to  lend  to 
those  who  do  not  understand  German.  Wo  shall 
also  lose  no  time  in  having  it  translated  into  Buss. 
It  will  suit  the  Bussians." 

Sept.  5.  This  day  I  had  the  exquisite  pleasure  of 
sending  off  by  Hamburg  steam-packet,  the  stereo- 


"BRINGING   IN   SHEAVES."  163 

type  plates  of  the  German  edition  of  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  as  a  present  to  the  Lower  Saxony  Tract 
Society,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesns.  O  may  his 
richest  blessing  accompany  every  copy. 

October  14,  1840.  Wednesday  morning,  seven 
o'clock.  Is  Christ  really  precious  to  my  soul;  or  is 
he  not?  Is  Christ  dear  to  my  heart ;  or  is  he  not  ?  Is 
it  my  earnest  desire  to  have  him  ever  with  me ;  or  is 
it  not?  If  called  to  die  this  very  inoment,  is  my  con- 
fidence firm  in  Christ;  or  is  it  not?  What  answer 
does  my  soul  give  to  these  questions?  Surely  I  can 
truly  say  that  Christ  is  indeed  the  altogether  love- 
ly, precious  to  my  soul,  and  my  supreme  desire  ;  with 
the  deepest  sorrow  for  sin,  yet  with  the  most  implicit 
confidence  in  that  precious  blood  which  cleanseth 
from  all  sin,  even  my  sins.  Then  if  called  to  die 
this  day,  or  even  before  I  finish  this  entry,'  I  am  now 
safe  in  Christ,  and  a  thousand  years  of  holy  living 
would  not  make  me  more  fit  for  heaven  than  at  the 
present  moment;  for  I  can  enter  heaven  only  an  un- 
worthy sinner  having  no  righteousness  of  my  own, 
but  all  in  Christ,  for  he  is  my  sanctification,  my 
peace,  my  way  to  God.  Such  are  my  thoughts  at 
this  moment  with  the  word  of  God  before  me,  and 
before  I  proceed  to  read  its  blessed  contents.  Bless- 
ed be  God  for  this  lively  faith  in  his  beloved  Son. 

J.  v.  H. 

Nov.  7.  O  blessed  be  the  Lord  that  I  live  to  see 
the  day  up  to  which  he  has  mercifully  enabled  me 
by  his  great  bounty  to  give  away  upwards  of  forty 
thousand  copies  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  O  what 
can  I  render  to  the  Lord  for  all  his  goodness  tow- 


1G4  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

arda  me,  so  great,  so  utterly  undeserved?    I  desire 

to  give  him  my  whole  heart,  and  to  devote  all  ray 
life  to  his  blessed  service  for  Christ's  sake.  O  Lord, 
accept  my  heart,  and  seal  it  thine. 

Nov.  16.  I  wrote  the  Religious  Tract  Society  an 
offer  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  to  print  it  as  a  tract. 
To  this  proposition  they  assented.  Ma}-  the  Lord 
add  his  blessing.  Amen.  [Up  to  midsummer,  1843, 
the  Tract  Society  published  ninety  thousand  copies, 
in  fifteen  editions.] 

A  note  from  the  son  of  the  Bishop  of  Calcutta 
announces  that  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  is  already 
translated  into  Bengalee,  and  widely  circulated. 
Praised,  O  praised  be  the  Lord. 

March  14,  1841.  This  day  completes  my  sixty- 
seventh  year.  I  can  scarcely  believe  it  possible 
that  I  am'  so  old.  My  health  vigorous,  and  my  soul 
all  on  fire  for  the  Lord  Jesus.  O  what  wondrous 
things  has  the  Lord  done  for  me  during  the  last 
twenty-five  years,  making  me  not  only  a  llechabite, 
but  a  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

May  12.  A  new  portion  for  "  The  Sinner's  Friend," 
"What  must  I  do  to  bo  saved?"  In  reading  in 
my  usual  course  the  sixteenth  chapter  of  Acts,  I  was 
impressed  with  the  importunity  of  the  poor  jailer  to 
know  what  he  could  do  to  bo  saved;  and  as  many 
persons  are  anxious  to  know  this,  I  felt  as  it  were  a 
sudden  call  to  write  a  few  thoughts  on  this  passage, 
and  then  transfer  it  to  the  pages  of  "  The  Sinner'3 
Friend."  I  immediately  laid  the  matter  before  the 
Lord,  imploring  his  aid  to  warm  my  heart,  and  then 
instruct  mo  what  to  write  in  strict  accordance  with 


"BRINGING    IN    SHEAVES.'  165 

his  holy  word.  In  answer  to  this  petition,  the 
Lord  was  mercifully  pleased  to  direct  my  mind 
to  write  the  new  portion  which  will  appear  in  the 
new  edition,  eighty-eight,  on  page  4,  "  Salvation 
through  faith — not  by  works."  May  the  Lord 
accompany  it  with  his  blessing,  for  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

The  Rev.  J.  Angell  James,  Birmingham,  writes, 
"I  greatly  rejoice  with  you  in  the  usefulness  to 
which  God  has  called  you  by  the  publication  of  this 
little  work.  It  will  outlive  its  author,  and  be  send- 
ing up  converted  and  glorified  saints  to  heaven  to 
follow  him  to  the  realms  of  bliss.  How  sweet  is  the 
thought  of  doing  something  for  Christ  even  after  we 
are  dead." 

June  8.  Awoke  early  this  morning  out  of  a 
heavenly  dream,  in  which  I  had  been  engaged  with 
several  j>ersons  in  a  house  of  prayer.  I  was  myself 
apparently  engaged  in  the  exercise  of  most  earnest 
supplication,  with  an  intensity  of  energy  far  more 
than  when  I  am  awake.  This  blessed  vision  was  in 
answer  to  earnest  prayer  the  last  thing  before  I 
closed  my  eyes  in  sleep.  It  has  long  been  my  cus- 
tom, when  I  get  into  bed,  to  pray  the  Lord  that, 
if  it  be  not  too  much  to  ask,  he  will  be  pleased  to 
preserve  me  from  sinful  dreams,  and  that  when  nrj 
body  is  locked  in  sleep  my  soul  may  be  engaged  in 
his  blessed  service,  either  in  praise  or  prayer ;  so  that, 
whether  sleeping  or  waking,  I  may  always  be  en- 
gaged in  his  blessed  service.  I  have  reason  to  bless 
the  Lord  that  he  continually  grants  my  requests  to 
the  rejoicing  of  my  soul,  so  that  with  David  I  am 


166  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

enabled  to  say,  "When  I  awake  I  am  still  with  thee."' 
Blessed  be  the  Lord. 

The  faithfulness  of  God  to  his  promises.  What 
a  blessing  is  prayer ;  and  Oh  what  mercy  that  God 
should  hear  us!  It  has  been  a  great  comfort  to  me 
in  my  pilgrimage  to  trust  in  the  promise  of  our  dear 
Redeemer,  "Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name, 
that  will  I  do."  The  Lord  is  ever  faithful  to  his 
word.  I  have  proved  it  to  be  so  in  a  most  remark- 
able manner  in  the  following  instance.  My  love 
and  reverence  for  the  Lord  have  led  me  to  leave  the 
whole  direction  of  my  concerns  in  his  hands  ;  pray- 
ing him  to  make  me  holy  and  acquiescent  in  his  will, 
rather  than  specify  to  the  Lord  any  particular  bless- 
ing. But  a  few  years  ago  my  beloved  wife  was  laid 
on  a  bed  of  sickness,  and  considered  to  be  within  a 
few  minutes  of  eternity,  not  the  slightest  hope ;  so 
that  the  physician  told  me  that  her  duration  in  life 
would  not  exceed  ten  minutes.  She  had  parted, 
finally  as  we  thought,  with  myself,  and  I  had  retir- 
ed to  another  apartment,  while  she  sent  for  my 
eldest  son  to  attend  her  bedside  to  receive  her  bless- 
ing. I  stepped  gently  into  her  room  again  unob- 
served by  any  one,  to  catch  the  last  sound  of  her 
dear  voice,  and  while  I  was  thus  remaining  in  most 
painful  suspense,  even  then  unwilling  to  dictate  to 
the  Lord,  but  rather  feeling,  "  Though  he  slay  me, 
pet  will  I  trust  in  him,"  and  love  him  too,  a  voice 
from  heaven  whispered  in  my  ear,  "  There  is  a  prom- 
ise laid  up  for  you  in  the  trying  hour:  I  know  your 
faith,  your  love,  and  that  you  would  rather  not  spec- 
ify a  blessing,  but  would  humbly  trust  my  mercy; 


"BRINGING    IN   SHEAVES.''  167 

but  now  make  use  of  this  promise,  '  "Whatsoever  ye 
shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will  I  do.'  "  With  a  half 
suffocated  voice  I  cried  out  in  agony,  "  Lord,  I  be- 
seech thee,  for  the  honor  of  the  word  of  thy  dear 
Sou,  do  grant  me  the  life  of  my  wife."  I  sank  back 
in  my  chair,  overwhelmed  with  the  intensity  of  my 
feelings,  and  could  say  no  more,  not  a  syllable.  I 
could  only  weep.  But  Oh  the  mercy  and  faithfulness 
of  God !  The  angel  of  death,  his  arrow  poised,  was 
forbidden  to  strike  ;  and  from  that  very  moment  my 
beloved  wife  began  to  recover,  and  she  who  was  sup- 
posed to  be  within  ten  minutes  of  death  has  been 
many  years,  and  is  now,  the  solace  of  my  life,  the 
joy  of  my  heart,  uniting  every  energy  of  heart  and 
soul  with  myself  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  having 
herself  written  one  of  the  portions,  "  Word  to  the 
Poor,"  in  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  Blessed  be  the 
Lord. 

Septembee  22, 1841.  Twenty-five  years  of  eman- 
cipation. I  discontinued  wine  and  spirituous  liquors 
Sunday,  September  22, 181G.  I  am  more  full  of  life 
and  fire  at  nearly  seventy  years  of  age  than  I  was 
at  thirty,  when  I  drank  freely  of  every  thing.  By 
not  taking  malt  liquor  I  never  feel  the  pain  of  thirst, 
therefore  do  not  require  liquid  aliment  in  the  same 
degree  as  heretofore,  tea  and  coffee  being  sufficient. 
But  besides  this,  it  has  pleased  God  to  put  "  a  new 
song  into  my  mouth;"  and  he  has  enabled  me  by 
his  almighty  grace  to  live  to  his  glory,  a  monument 
of  redeeming  love. 

"  The  Wonderful  Escape."  This  tract,  the  sub- 
stance of  my  speech  at  Exeter  Hall,  at  the  anniver- 


168  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

sarj  of  the  Temperance  Society,  May,  1836,  was 
adopted  and  130,000  copies  printed  by  the  New 
York  Tract  Society  entirely  without  my  knowledge. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord.  Who  would  have  thought, 
when  I  made  this  speech,  that  it  would  have  been 
made  a  blessing  in  America? 

Dec.  1.  Mr.  E.  M died  this  day,  aged  sixty- 
three.  He  was  one  of  my  early  companions  in  a 
society  of  twenty  or  more  gay  young  men  indulging 
in  folly  and  sin:  we  two  were  the  only  persons  left; 
all  the  others  cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life.     I  had 

spoken  and  written  to  Mr.  M ,  and  I  gave  him  a 

copy  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend,"  with  strong  entreaty 
that  he  would  read  it  with  attention.  His  death  is 
a  warning.  The  whole  society,  of  which  I  was  a 
leader,  is  now  broken  up,  all  gone  except  myself. 
Shortly  I  too  must  die.  I  behold  David  and  Saul 
and  Peter,  a  murderer,  a  blasphemer,  and  a  back- 
slider, yet  all  these  three  are  in  heaven,  notwith- 
standing their  misdeeds.  How  came  these  to  find  a 
place  there?  Because  God  is  long- suffering,  gra- 
cious, and  merciful  to  all  who  seek  him  through  Jesus 
Christ.  Though  all  men  may  deem  me  beside  my- 
self, yet  no  philosophy  nor  argument  can  ever  dis- 
suade me  of  my  firm  belief  that  Jesus  Christ  lives 
and  reigns  even  in  my  heart,  which  once  dared  t<> 
despise  his  rule,  and  which  was  determined  to  in- 
dulge in  every  kind  of  sin.  David  said  he  was  '"a 
wonder  unto  many;"  so  am  I  and  have  been  among 
my  former  acquaintances,  but  I  am  the  greatest 
wonder  to  myself.  But  "wonders  of  grace  to  God 
belong."     It  is  all  wonder  from  beginning  to  end. 


"BRINGING  IN   SHEAVES."  169 

Some  of  my  friends  seem  to  think  that  I  have  a 
peculiar  warmth  of  manner  in  expressing  my  love  to 
Christ.  Ah,  dear  friends,  ice  itself  would  become 
fire  with  indignation,  were  I  not  to  burn  and  blaze 
whenever  my  dear  Redeemer's  name  is  the  theme. 
The  wonder  is  that  I  am  not  in  the  hottest  hell  in- 
stead of  singing  the  praises  of  God.  If  any  inquire 
why  it  is  that  I  love  so  much,  I  refer  them  to  the 
Saviour's  own  words,  "  Because  he  hath  much  for- 
given." Glory,  glory,  glory  be  to  the  Lord.  Amen. 
Lord,  keep  me  humble,  keep  me  humble  for  Jesus' 
blessed  sake. 


Jonn  Viae  Hnii 


170  JonN  vi&e  hall. 


CHAPTEE   IX. 

CONTENT. 
1842  TO  1852-AGE  68-78. 

Mabch  14, 1842.  This  day  ended  my  sixty-ninth 
year,  and  the  thirtieth  year  of  my  new  birth.  The 
Lord  has  indeed  fulfilled  his  word  in  my  case :  "With 
long  life  will  I  satisfy  him,  and  show  him  my  salva- 
tion," Psa.  91 :  with  long  life,  inasmuch  as  I  have  now 
outlived  all  my  friends,  the  associates  of  my  youth. 
My  own  time  must,  however,  shortly  come.  But  I 
have  not  the  slightest  fear.  Not  because  of  my  new 
nature,  a  total  change  of  heart,  but  from  the  impos- 
sibility of  God  to  be  unfaithful  to  his  word.  And 
he  has  said  by  his  beloved  Son,  that  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  on  him  shall  havo  everlasting  life.  By  the 
grace  of  God  I  do  believe  in  Christ,  although  I  was 
once  an  infidel,  and  he  has  become  the  very  chiefest 
object  of  my  affections,  with  a  constant  hatred  of  all 
manner  of  sin.  In  my  old  age,  and  with  plenty  of 
this  world's  goods,  I  am  still  a  beggar,  begging  my 
way  from  earth  to  heaven  every  hour  of  my  life. 
But  I  feel  enriched  by  free,  unmerited  grace.  It  is 
my  desire  ever  to  lie  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  with 
deep  repentance  and  love  towards  that  divine  Be- 
deemer  who  ever  lives  and  reigns  in  my  heart.  This 
blessed  feeling  has  been  increasing  daily  in  my  soul 
more  than  twenty  years.  God  be  praised  evermore. 
O  may  my  beloved  wife  and  all  my  dear  children 


CONTENT.  171 

enjoy  the  same  heavenly  delights,  that  we  may  all 
meet  round  the  throne  in  blissful  union  to  sing  for 
ever  of  redeeming  love. 

A  letter  from  the  Keligious  Tract  Society  in- 
forms me  that  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  is  to  be  print- 
ed at  Athens  in  the  Greek  language.  How  wonder- 
ful, that  where  Paul  made  known  the  then  unknown 
God,  and  possibly  even  on  Mars  hill,  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  by  the  blessing  of  God,  may  be  the  means 
of  directing  some  poor  sinner  to  the  cross. 

May  2.  When  the  late  martyr  Williams  was  at 
my  house,  I  wrote  an  affectionate  letter  to  Makea, 
king  of  Earotonga,  which  Mr.  Williams  engaged  to 
deliver  to  him  on  his  return  to  that  island ;  but  as 
Mr.  Williams  was  murdered,  I  never  expected  to  hear 
any  thing  about  my  letter.  To  my  surprise,  a  letter 
was  delivered  to  me  this  day  from  Makea  David,  son 
of  the  late  king  of  Earotonga,  translated  by  Mr. 
Buzacott,  resident  missionary,  saying,  "I  under- 
stand that  Jesus  the  Messiah  is  your  rejoicing,  by 
what  you  have  said  in  your  writing  to  Makea.  I  also 
understand  the  little  book, '  The  Sinner's  Friend ;'  a 
book  very  excellent,  and  enlightening  to  read." 

April  19.  This  morning  dear  Newman  and  self 
set  off  from  Eotherham  to  Thorne,  on  our  way  to 
Hull.  In  the  packet  were  several  emigrants  for 
America,  to  whom  I  spoke  of  the  mercy  of  God.  In 
the  cabin  I  also  found  four  dear  Christians,  to  whom 
I  opened  my  mouth  for  the  Lord,  encouraging  them 
to  put  their  trust  in  Him.  At  Hull  we  Averc  most 
courteously  welcomed  by  Sir  William  Lowthrop.  In 
the  evening  to  a  prayer-meeting,  which  was  being 


172  JOHN   VINE   IIALL. 

held  at  Mr.  Stratten's  chapel  to  implore  the  divine 
blessing  upon  the  new  chapel  to  be  opened  on  the 
morrow.  Mr.  Stratten  astonished  me  by  saying, 
:'A  stranger,  who  is  now  here,  unknown  to  us  per 
tonally,  but  well  known  as  the  author  of  'The  Sin- 
ner's Friend,'  will,  I  hope,  engage  in  prayer  when 
the  hymn  has  been  sung.  As  soon  as  the  service 
was  over,  about  a  dozen  ministers  and  others  came 
round  me  with  kind  shakes  of  the  hand.  O  how 
great  is  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  towards  me.  On 
our  return  we  found  the  Rev.  Dr.  Raffles  and  Dr. 
Harris,  who  had  come  to  officiate  at  the  opening  of 
Albion  chapel  on  the  morrow. 

April  20.  Opening  or  Albion  chapel,  Hull.  The 
Rev.  J.  Stratten  commenced  the  service  by  a  dedi- 
catory prayer.  The  Eev.  Dr.  Harris  preached  from 
"Thy  will  be  done."  There  was  breathless  atten- 
tion for  an  hour  and  a  half.  In  the  evening  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Raffles  threw  open  the  gate  of  mercy  wide 
as  infinity,  from  "The  grace  of  God  that  bringeth 
salvation  hath  appeared  unto  all  men."  Oh  it  aviis 
enough  to  awaken  the  dead,  and  I  trust  that  many 
a  soul  was  made  glad  indeed  in  the  Lord.  I  had 
some  very  pleasant  private  conversation  with  Lady 
Lowthrop  upon  the  mercy  of  God  to  sinners.  Af- 
terwards I  spoke  to  the  butler  about  the  way  of 
salvation.  He  said  he  was  not  a  converted  man,  but 
he  hoped  to  become  so.  He  appeared  truly  thank- 
ful, and  promised  to  attend  to  my  admonition.  1 
spoke  to  him. a  second  time,  urging  him  to  seek  the 
Lord  without  delay.  I  entreated  him  so  warmly 
that  he  appeared  deeply  affected. 


CONTENT.  173 

April  22.  At  Sheffield  a  respectable  woman  ad- 
dressed me,  "Sir,  you  gave  a  very  instructing  little 
book,  'The  Sinner's  Friend,'  to  a  person  here,  the 
other  day.  Would  you  be  so  kind  as  to  give  one  to 
me?"  She  asked  with  such  a  look  of  importunity 
that  I  said,  "Oh  yes,  and  I  bless  God  that  you  have 
asked  me."  I  then  took  hold  of  her  hand  in  a  kind 
manner  and  said,  "  Do  you  know  Jesus  ?"  The  tears 
started  in  her  eyes,  and  she  looked  that  she  knew 
him.  Shaking  her  kindly  by  the  hand,  I  commend- 
ed her  to  the  blessing  of  the  Lord ;  and  when  I  got 
into  the  street  I  could  scarcely  refrain  from  crying 
aloud,  "Lord,  thou  art  ever  blessing  me;  and  thou 
knowest  that  it  is  the  joy  of  my  heart  ever  to  be 
praising  thee.  My  heart,  my  heart  praises  thee,  O 
God."  I  was  quite  in  rapture  at  this  very  unexpect- 
ed opportunity  of  speaking  for  the  Lord. 

April  25.   Mr.  "W 's  butler  walked  with  mo 

to  the  railway  station,  which  gave  me  the  opportu- 
nity of  speaking  to  him  on  the  great  importance  of 
being  decidedly  a  Christian.  At  the  station-house 
I  conversed  with  a  young  female  on  the  necessity 
of  being  found  in  the  ways  of  God.  Gave  her  a 
copy  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend,"  thankful  to  God 
for  the  opportunity  of  beginning  the  day  in  his 
service. 

July  13.  Hull.  This  day  it  pleased  God  to 
allow  my  dear  wife  and  self  the  privilege  of  witness- 
ing our  dear  son  Newman's  being  ordained  a  min- 
ister of  Jesus  Christ.  Newman  had  been  unani- 
mously invited  by  the  deacons  and  church  of  Christ 
assembled  in  Albion  chapel  to  take  upon  him  this 


174  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

important  office,  and  this  day  about  twelve  minis- 
ters wero  assembled  for  the  service.  The  Rev.  T. 
James  proposed  the  usual  questions  to  Newman, 
■whose  straightforward  account  of  the  principles  of 
his  faith  and  the  motives  which  had  led  him  to 
desire  the  office  of  a  Christian  minister,  awakened 
the  deepest  sympathies,  and  drew  tears  from  many. 
I  wept  with  gratitude  to  hear  him  declare  that  from 
a  child  he  had  been  taught  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
early  instructed  by  Iris  dear  parents  to  walk  in  the 
way  of  holiness  and  truth.  He  spoke  of  his  early 
advantages,  but  acknowledged  that  his  religion  was 
merely  outward,  until  a  circumstance  aroused  him 
seriously  to  seek  salvation  in  Christ  Jesus.  This 
was  simple,  but  made  effectual  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 
It  was  a  letter  from  a  younger  sister.  Here  again 
I  had  abundant  reason  to  praise  the  Lord  that  my 
dear  children  had  not  been  taught  in  vain  to  seek 
Him. 

Sabbath-day,  July  17.  Albion  chapel,  Hull. 
Dear  Newman  commenced  his  arduous  services  as 
pastor.  His  first  text  was,  "Brethren,  pray  for  us ;" 
and  in  the  evening,  "I  am  determined  to  know 
nothing  among  you,  save  Christ,  and  him  crucified." 
The  Lord's  supper  was  administered  after  the  even- 
ing service  to  about  eighty  communicants. 

July  19.  I  embarked  on  board  the  Vivid  steam- 
er; there  were  four  Wesley  an  ministers  on  board, 
and  when  the  company  were  assembled  to  tea,  one 
of  them  asked  the  divine  blessing  upon  our  refresh- 
ment. I  could  not  refrain  from  expressing  my  pleas- 
ure, and  at  the  same  time  saying  that  I  should  be 


CONTENT.  175 

very  glad  to  liavo  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  saloon  at 
half-past  seven  o'clock,  when  about  twenty  persons 
united  in  prayer  and  praise  until  half-past  nine. 
The  next  morning  at  half-past  ten  we  renewed  this 
exercise  for  an  hour. 

Aug.  6.  At  Hull  I  had  the  opportunity  of  speak- 
ing to  many  persons,  particularly  to  Sir  W.  L 's 

butler,  that  he  might  overcome  his  besetting  sin  of 
intemperance  and  find  a  refuge  in  Jesus  Christ.  I 
took  him  by  the  hand  and  spoke  to  him  tenderly, 
till  his  eyes  told  the  feelings  of  his  heart.  My  son 
Newman  says  in  a  letter  from  Hull,  "  On  Thursday 

last  H came  to  offer  himself  as  a  member  for 

church-fellowship,  and  stated  that  it  was  my  father 
who  first  led  him  to  think  seriously  of  his  soul. 
How  my  heart  rejoiced  for  one  of  the  first  batch  of 
new  members  to  be  my  father's  spiritual  son." 
When  I  read  this  I  fell  down  on  my  knees  in  joy 
and  gratitude,  and  could  only  articulate  with  con- 
vulsive accent,  "O  my  Lord,  mercifully  accept  my 
thanks,  and  bless  that  man  with  establishing  grace 
for  Christ's  sake,  and  keep  me  humble."  What 
delight  have  I  experienced  in  speaking  for  Christ 
in  steam-boats,  coaches,  railways,  omnibuses,  and 
anywhere  when  opportunity  has  occurred.  It  has 
been  my  highest  delight  to  "bless  the  Lord  at  all 
times,  and  to  have  his  praise  continually  in  my 
mouth,"  and  to  say,  "Come  and  hear,  all  ye  that 
fear  God,  and  I  will  declare  what  he  hath  done  for 
my  soul."  This  is  the  second  instance  of  a  gentle- 
man's servant  having  been  brought  to  think  seri- 
ously of  his  soul  in  consequence  of  my  admonition. 


176  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

Oct.  20.  A  servant  provoked  me  by  obstinate 
argument  when  I  endeavored  to  explain  to  him  his 
error.  I  felt  angry,  and  spoke  hastily.  I  was  sorry 
for  it,  and  immediately  fell  on  my  knees  beseeching 
the  Lord  to  pardon  my  sin.  "  Set  a  watch  before 
my  mouth,"  etc.  How  needful  this  for  every  pro- 
fessor of  religion. 

Jan.  4,  1843.  Newman  writes  that  one  of  the 
members  admitted  to  church-fellowship  last  week 
attributed  to  reading  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  her 
first  religious  impressions.  Also  that  he  had  been 
sent  for  to  see  a  sick  man  who  had  been  without 
any  religion  or  hope ;  but  a  copy  of  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend"  had  been  lent  him,  and  Newman  found 
him  sobbing  with  penitence  and  joy. 

Jccteney  to  Hull.  March  12.  In  the  afternoon 
of  this  Sabbath  I  had  the  pleasure  of  conducting 
the  service  at  Wincobank  chapel,  near  Sheffield. 
About  three  hundred  present.  I  spoke  for  an  hour, 
my  soul  all  on  fire.  March  14.  Hull.  Arrived  at 
Dr.  Gordon's.  At  Dr.  Gordon's  met  ministers  of 
the  Established,  the  Presbyterian,  and  Independent 
churches.  "We  heartily  agreed  upon  the  essential 
points  of  the  gospel — none  but  Christ.  How  de- 
lightful to  meet  with  sincere  Christians  of  every 
denomination.      March  17.    Accompanied   Sir  W. 

L to  the  prison,  and  addressed  a  few  words  to 

the  debtors.  Afterwards  addressed  the  female  pris- 
oners, who  wero  also  assembled  in  a  room,  where 

Lady  L was  reading  to  them  from  the  Bible. 

March  19.  Bethel  Floating  chapel.  Conducted  the 
service  on  board  the  Floating  chapel,  and  spoko  for 


CONTENT.  177 

about  an  hour  to  six  hundred  persons,  sailors  and 
others.    The  ship  was  literally  crammed.    March  23. 

Mrs.  H of  TVelton  told  me  that  a  gentleman  who 

was  taken  ill  requested  particularly  that  she  should 
be  sent  for  to  speak  to  him  about  a  Saviour.     Mrs. 

H read  several  portions  from  "The  Sinner's 

Friend,"  which  so  comforted  his  soul  that  he  press. 
cd  the  little  book  to  his  bosom  with  gratitude,  and 
shortly  afterwards  died.     March  26.  Penitentiary. 

Sir  TV.  L and  Miss  M took  me  to  address 

the  inmates,  twenty-six  young  females.  Spoke  ten- 
derly to  these  unfortunates,  many  of  whom  wept 
exceedingly.  I  felt  that  I  myself  was  far  worse 
than  any  of  these  poor  females.  The  Lord  has 
saved  me;  why  not  save  them?  March  29.  Un- 
ceasingly alive  to  his  mercy,  I  felt  constrained,  as  I 
walked  along  the  streets,  to  be  continually  praising 
the  Lord.  I  hope  it  is  indeed  the  true  desire  of  my 
soul  that  my  God  may  be  glorified  by  me  in  every 
word  and  thought  and  deed,  and  that  Christ  may 
occupy  every  space  of  my  heart,  to  the  exclusion  of 
every  kind  of  sin.  March  30.  Enjoyed  a  walk  of 
three  hours  with  Lady  L ,  who  kindly  intro- 
duced me  to  many  exceedingly  poor  Christians,  liv- 
ing in  such  obscure  places  that  I  was  surprised  she 
had  found  them  out ;  but  she  was  in  the  habit  of 
reading  and  praying  with  them.  In  these  visits  I 
heard  of  two  persons  who  had  been  brought  to  the 
Lord  through  "The  Sinner's  Friend."  April  8. 
Home.  Dear  Mary  and  self  knelt  together  before 
the  Lord  to  thank  him  for  his  great  mercy  during 
our  absence,  and  for  the  kindnesses  from  the  whole 

8* 


173  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

of  our  friends  during  our  stay  in  Yorkshire.  I  had 
never  had  so  delightful  a  relaxation  from  business. 
My  dear  Mary  being  my  companion,  made  my  joy 
complete.     Blessed  be  the  Lord. 

Maech  14,  1844.  Seventy  years  of  age.  Were  it 
not  for  a  correct  reckoning  of  the  past  years,  I  could 
scarcely  believe  it  possible.  No  lassitude,  no  dis- 
ease whatever.  I  may  well  call  upon  my  soul  and 
all  that  is  within  me  to  bless  the  Lord.  I  awoke 
very  early  this  morning,  praising  him  for  preserv- 
ing my  health  and  causing  me  to  rejoice  in  Christ 
as  my  all-sufficient  Saviour.  But  in  the  midst  of 
mercies  almost  beyond  compare,  still  my  nature  is 
prone  to  sin.  I  lament  it  deeply,  with  earnest  cry 
for  a  truly  penitent  heart. 

Maech  26.  This  day  we  took  possession  of  our 
new  residence,  and  my  dear  Mary  and  self  knelt 
together  before  the  Lord  to  dedicate  ourselves  and 
our  new  tenement  to  the  Lord,  beseeching  his  bless- 
ing to  accompany  us  in  this  and  in  every  circum- 
stance of  our  future  life.  In  the  evening,  at  our 
family  altar,  we  again,  with  our  children  and  ser- 
vants, repeated  the  same  heartfelt  offering  to  him. 
"The  Sinner's  Friend"  is  now  adopted  and  pub- 
lished by  the  four  largest  Tract  Societies  in  the 
world;  also  in  India  by  the  Calcutta  Translation 
Society,  under  the  superintendence  of  Bishop  Wil- 
son, in  various  dialects.  Oh  what  do  I  not  owe  to 
the  Lord  for  his  wonderful  mercy  in  thus  bestowing 
such  great  honor  on  my  little  work  ! 

May  8.  It  was  again  my  privilege  to  speak  to 
the  people  in  Week-street  chapel,  our  dear  pastor 


CONTENT.  179 

being  absent  in  London.  My  principal  design  was 
to  urge  the  great  importance  of  being  one  with 
Christ,  and  in  every  situation  of  life  to  havo  him 
always  with  us.  The  blessed  reward  of  being  one 
of  his  sheep — eternal  life.  The  security — never 
perish;  "No  man  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my 
hand."  Blessed  security!  Although  I  had  no 
thought  or  desire  to  have  been  thus  engaged,  and 
would  rather  have  relinquished  it  to  any  other  per- 
son, yet  when  I  was  so  engaged  my  heart  was  all 
on  fire,  overflowing  with  the  most  intense  feeling  to 
induce  my  fellow-sinners  to  seek  a  close  union  with 
our  blessed  Kedeemer,  and  through  him  to  be  one 
with  the  Father. 

Suxday,  March  2,  1845.  The  Lord's  supper.  It 
was  on  Sabbath,  March  2,  1818,  that  I  partook 
of  the  Lord's  supper  for  the  first  time  in  Weak- 
street  chapel,  having  been  received  on  the  previous 
Friday  as  a  member  of  Christ;  and  this  day  I 
had  the  great  privilege  to  officiate  as  a  deacon,  to 
which  office  I  had  been  unanimously  elected  many 
years  ago,  and  the  Lord  has  mercifully  preserved 
me  until  the  present  day.  I  felt  overwhelmed 
with  gratitude,  and  I  requested  our  dear  minister 
to  return  thanks  to  the  Lord  publicly  on  my  behalf. 

Hull.  Maech  24.  "Walked  about  the  docks  to 
circulate  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  This  evening  a 
district  meeting  of  Christian  friends  was  held  in  Sir 

W.  L 's   drawing-room.      To  my  unspeakable 

gratitude  five  or  six  persons  referred  to  "The  Sin- 
ner's Friend"  as  having  been  made  a  blessing  to 
their  souls,  by  directing  them  to  the  Saviour.     Oh 


180  JOHN    VINE   HALL. 

how  merciful  is  the  Lord  to  me,  the  very  chiefest  of 
the  worst  of  sinners.  Nobody  knows  how  bad  I 
have  been  but  myself.  Yet  the  Lord  knows  it  all ; 
but  blessed  be  his  name,  the  blood  of  his  dear  Son 
cleanseth  from  all  sin — from  my  sins. 

June  7.  This  morning  Mr.  O ,  a  perfect  stran- 
ger, came  to  Maidstone  for  no  other  purpose  khan 
to  pay  me  a  visit.  He  addressed  mo  in  the  most 
enthusiastic  manner,  saying  that  he  had  distributed 
many  thousand  copies  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend," 
and  knew  of  the  good  that  had  been  effected  by  its 
circulation,  in  cases  almost  exceeding  credibility, 

only  ho  knew  them  to  be  true.     The  Rev.  J 

from  Tahiti  came  in  the  evening.  So  that  the 
Lord  was  this  day  pouring  forth  a  river  of  delight 
in  bringing  me  into  close  communion  with  his  dear 
people.  On  this  day  we  had  the  great  pleasure  of 
entertaining  the  missionaries,  etc.,  who  had  come 
to  attend  the  annual  meeting.  Our  room  was  lit- 
erally crammed.  Twelve  ministers  among  them.  I 
was  truly  thankful  for  a  house  and  a  heart  to  receive 
the  friends  of  my  Lord. 

Aug.  2G.  Anniversary  of  our  wedding-day,  com- 
pleting thirty -nine  years  united  to  my  beloved 
Mary,  more  beloved  than  ever.  But  Oh,  how  my 
heart  aches  at  the  remembrance  of  the  pain  I  have 
occasioned  her  to  feel;  and  Oh,  how  my  soul  mourns 
at  the  recollection  of  my  sins  against  a  holy  God 
The  very  mercies  of  God  made  me  quite  miserable, 
because  they  were  so  greatly  undeserved.  I  was 
indeed  and  always  am  truly  sorry  for  my  sin,  but 
I.  have  implicit  confidence  in  the  blood  of  Christ 


CONTENT.  181 

to  atone  for  all  my  guilt,  although  of  the  deepest 
dye. 

Sept.  23.  Astonishing  that  such  a  wretch  as  I 
was  should  be  permitted  to  speak  for  Christ.  But 
the  ways  of  God  are  not  our  ways,  and  he  in  infi- 
nite mercy  first  grants  conversion  to  the  most  un- 
likely, like  Saul  of  Tarsus,  and  then  bestows  upon 
them  a  commission,  saying,  "Feed  my  sheep."  '±Lo 
change  is  truly  as  great  as  from  darkness  into  light, 
hell  into  heaven.  "  But,"  says  the  sceptic,  "  where 
is  the  proof?"  To  such  a  one  I  would  say,  "Look 
at  yonder  wretched  object,  prostrate  on  the  ground, 
covered  with  filth,  frightful  to  behold,  his  eyes  glar- 
ing, and  cheeks  bloated  with  intoxication.  Hear 
those  dreadful  oaths  and  curses  at  every  word 
belching  from  his  stammering  lips.  Look  at  the 
wretch — lost!  a  very  beast.  Appalling  sight!  Turn 
from  the  loathsome  object,  and  enter  yon  temple  of 
the  Lord,  and  there  behold  the  striking  contrast. 
An  aged  pilgrim  presiding  at  a  prayer-meeting, 
giving  out  the  hymns  with  a  pathos  and  solemnity 
that  bespeak  a  heart  full  of  adoration,  thanksgiv- 
ing, and  love  to  the  Redeemer.  Listen  to  the  glow- 
ing effusion  of  his  soul  in  prayer,  all  on  fire  for  God, 
confessing  the  enormity  of  his  past  sins,  yet  hum- 
bly exulting  and  glorying  in  the  sanctifying  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  prepare  his  heart  for 
the  reception  of  the  ever  blessed  Son  of  God,  that 
he  may  there  ever  live  and  reign,  a  million,  million 
times  welcome  guest,  the  joy  of  his  soul,  the  daily 
increasing  delight  of  his  life.  But  who  is  this  aged 
pilgrim  with  silver  hair,  so  full  of  heavenly  fire? 


182  JOHN  VINE   HALL. 

Who  is  be  ?  Listen,  0  earth,  and  you,  ye  angel*  of 
God,  who  rejoice  over  a  penitent  sinner  turned  from 
the  error  of  his  ways.  Listen,  ye  angels,  listen ! 
Who  is  he  ?  Why,  the  aged  silvery-haired  pilgrim 
is  no  other  than  the  once  poor  blaspheming  rebel 
whom  you  saw  prostrate  on  the  ground,  in  all  th« 
horrors  of  intoxication,  covered  with  filth.  Yes, 
praise  to  the  tender  mercy  of  God,  this  is  the  very 
wretch  whom  Jesus  saw  weltering  in  his  blood,  bade 
him  live  as  the  lost  whom  he  came  to  save,  and  then 
put  on  him  a  new  robe,  and  made  him  the  author  of 
'  The  Sinner's  Friend.'  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for 
the  Lord?  This  is  the  proof  of  the  power  of  chang- 
ing grace."  Merciful  God!  O  God  of  wonders! 
Well  may  this  poor  man  sing, 

!<  Through  all  eternity  to  thee 
*     A  joyful  song  I  '11  raise, 
But  Oh,  eternity 's  too  short 
To  utter  all  thy  praise. " 

Is  it  any  wonder  then  that  when  I  speak  of  Christ 
I  am  all  in  a  blaze  ?  Why,  the  very  stones  would 
rise  up  against  me  were  I  to  be  silent  one  single 
moment.  The  Lord  Jesus  is  always  in  my  thoughts, 
my  heart,  my  tongue,  and  I  can  no  more  help  or  cease 
speaking  of  him  than  I  can  live  without  breathing. 
Oct.  10.  The  natural  birthday  of  my  dear,  dear 
wife,  dearer  than  ever,  dearer  than  when  she  com- 
pleted her  nineteenth  year  as  my  wife.  Now  she 
has  lived  to  see  the  returns  of  her  birthday  forty 
times  since  we  have  been  united  in  the  bonds  of 
increasing  love,  .1  numerous  offspring,  and  our  chil- 
dren's children,  with  mercies  on  every  side.      Oh 


CONTENT.  18b 

what  reason  to  call  upon  our  souls  and  every  power 
within  us  to  bless  and  praise  the  Lord.  We  had  a 
happy  family  party.  After  dinner  we  united  heart 
and  voice  in  singing,  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all 
blessings  flow."  After  tea  we  repeated  lrymns,  and 
I  took  the  opportunity  to  address  my  dear  children, 
entreating  them  to  make  the  Lord  their  trust,  and 
then  they  would  find  him  to  be  as  kind  to  them  as 
he  had  been  to  then-  father.  "When  I  am  dead  and 
gone  perhaps  they  will  think  of  this.  Oh  may  the 
Lord  fix  it  upon  their  souls. 

"  May  26,  184G.  I  take  up  my  pen  to  write  you 
in  the  midst  of  tears.  'But  why  should  my  father 
shed  tears  ?'  I  '11  tell  you,  dear  Newman.  I  have 
just  been  reading  the  thrilling  tale  of  Joseph  and 
his  brethren,  and  although  I  have  read  it  so  often, 
yet  it  is  ever  exciting  to  the  highest  degree,  and  I 
cannot  help  it,  old  fool  as  I  am.  Talk  of  romance 
or  tales  of  imagination ;  why,  nothing  in  the  world 
exceeds  this  simple  unvarnished  truth.  And  then  I 
began  to  think  of  the  mercy  of  God  to  myself  in  an 
almost  similar  but  far  different  respect,  because  I 
Avas  not  ruler  of  all  Egypt ;  but  God  had  raised  mo 
up  to  nourish  a  dear  mother  who  had  been  by  mis- 
fortune reduced  from  respectability  and  plenty  to 
poverty;  and  then  God  sent  me  into  a  strange  land — 
Worcester — unknown  to  any  one,  and  without  a  shil  • 
ling  of  my  own;  and  there  God  gave  me  power  and 
money,  and  a  heart  of  love  to  my  poor  parent,  whose 
letters  to  me  were  often  commenced,  '  My  door  Jo- 
seph in  Egypt,  the  meal  is  almost  gone,'  and  then 
through  the  Lord's  mercy  I  was  enabled  most  will- 


184  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

inglj  to  supply  all  her  wants  mitil  she  entered 
heaven ;  her  last  words,  for  two  hours,  invoking 
blessings  upon  her  son.  The  recollection  of  all  this 
made  me  weep  again,  as  I  now  do,  to  think  of  the 
goodness  of  God  towards  me;  and  then  to  give 
me  such  a  wife,  and  to  load  me  with  temporal  and 
spiritual  blessings  till  my  heart  is  overwhelmed  with 
joy  and  sorrow,  sorrow  of  the  deepest  kind  at  the 
remembrance  of  my  past  ingratitude  to  my  forgiv- 
ing God.  And  then,  again,  to  think  of  the  excess  of 
his  goodness  in  making  me  a  herald  of  salvation  to 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  sinners  in  every  part  of 
the  world.  Oh,  it  is  too  much.  The  Lord  preserve 
me  from  pride  or  self-complacency.  But  Oh,  how 
I  do  love  the  Lord,  his  ways,  his  people,  and  how 
my  heart  does  rejoice  when  I  can  speak  a  word  for 
his  holy  name. 

"  Poor  Okill  is  yet  alive,  but  I  think  to-mor- 
row may  be  his  last ;  he  is  now  a  wonder  to  all 
his  family — so  changed.  They  see  it  with  over- 
whelming gratitude.  He  appears  to  have  no  doubt 
of  acceptance  with  God.  This  trophy  of  divine 
grace,  once  a  tiger  in  temper,  is  now  as  a  lamb,  so 
patient,  so  thankful,  and  is  often  heard  to  ejacu- 
late, 'Blessed  Lord,  blessed  Lord!'  .  I  was  once 
obliged  to  discharge  him  because  his  blasphemies 
were  not  to  be  endured.  I  am  with  him  every  day, 
always  invited  by  him  to  engage  in  prayer,  and 
then  he  holds  my  hand  in  his  own,  and  with  a  con- 
vulsive squeeze  endeavors  thus  to  express  the  grate- 
ful feelings  of  his  heart.  God  be  praised.  Marvel- 
lous mercy !     What  a  change  too  in  M .     One 


CONTENT.  185 

of  his  fellow- workmen,  who  works  close  beside  him 
in  an  apartment  where  there  are  thirty  dissipated 

men,  among  whom  M was  the  worst,  informed 

me  that  he  stands  his  ground  before  them  all,  man- 
ifesting the  power  of  changing  grace  ;  that  they  al] 

wonder,  but  do  not  follow  him.   M ,  with  a  heavy 

sigh,  told  me  that  he  used  to  pay  a  man  to  sing  pro- 
fane songs.  The  kingdom  of  God  is  full  of  wonders. 
"Nov.  14.  When  a  single  string  of  the  body 
is  out  of  tune  we  begin  to  utter  discordant  notes. 
How  much  worse  is  it  when  the  soul  becomes  dis- 
ordered, when  carelessness  or  indifference  obscures 
our  view  of  that  celestial  light  which  is  intended  to 
warm  our  affections  into  a  glow  of  heavenly  ardor, 
blazing,  burning  with  love  to  God.  Nothing  but  a 
close  union  with  Christ  can  possibly  keep  this  light 
from  becoming  dim ;  therefore  how  needful  for 
every  believer  to  strive  for  a  closer  walk  with  God. 
I  feel  it,  dear  Newman,  more  and  more  every  hour, 
and  I  pray  to  be  ever  on  my  guard  that  Satan  may 
not  get  an  advantage  of  me  in  my  old  age,  and  thus 
bring  my  silvered  hairs  with  shame  and  sorrow  to 
the  grave.  It  is  one  of  the  greatest  absurdities  in 
the  world  for  a  professor  to  think  himself  safe  be- 
cause he  is  old.  Oh  no,  Satan  will  worry  the  saints 
throughout  their  whole  pilgrimage,  even  to  the  very 
gates  of  heaven ;  but  blessed  be  God,  he  cannot  get 
in  after  them.  Why,  the  cunning  old  chap  is  al- 
ways at  me  exhibiting  a  black  catalogue  of  sins, 
black  as  hell  itself,  which  would  obliterate  even  a 
glimpse  of  hope,  were  it  not  for  that  reviving  and 
encouraging   declaration,    "The   blood    of    Christ 


186  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

cleanscth  from  all  sin ;"  and  when  I  say,  "  Satan, 
look  at  that,"  ho  assumes  a  horrible  grin,  expands 
his  wings,  and  away  he  goes  to  frighten  some  poor 
wretch  who  has  never  been  at  the  foot  of  the  cross 
and  taken  shelter  under  the  Rock  of  ages.  What 
should  I  have  done  had  it  not  been  for  the  blood  of 
Christ?  We  want  something  more  than  a  mere 
change  of  life — we  want  an  indwelling  Spirit,  to  be 
full  of  love  of  the  most  exquisite  degree,  ever  pant- 
ing after  God,  every  thing  within  us  new ;  then  it 
is  that  wo  shall  not  only  possess  hope,  but  implicit 
confidence  in  Christ,  and  peace  and  joy.  We  have 
procured  Bunyan's  'Jerusalem  Sinner,'  and  also 
Dr.  Robinson's  '  Biblical  Researches  in  Palestine,' 
3  vols.,  which,  with  Home's  '  Critical  Study  of 
the  Scriptures,'  will  quite  occupy  our  little  time. 
Home's  work  was  exceedingly  instructive  to  me  a 
few  years  ago  while  I  was  daily  rioting  in  '  Scott's 
Commentary.'  Had  I  not  received  so  much  ben- 
efit to  my  own  soul  by  the  study  of  '  Scott's  Com- 
mentary,' 'The  Sinner's  Friend'  would  never,  in 
all  probability,  have  made  its  appearance ;  but  the 
comfort  which  I  myself  had  enjoyed  created  a  sigh 
that  others  might  also  enjoy  the  same  blessings,  but 
which  they  would  not  be  likely  to  do  from  want  of 
time  or  the  means  of  purchasing  such  expensive 
books,  and  this  led  me  to  a  feeling  of  pity  that  the 
truths  of  the  gospel  could  not  be  reduced  into  a  nut- 
shell, that  people  might  see  them  in  a  moment  with- 
out the  labor  of  study. 

"  I  shut  my  Bible,  and  on  my  knees  entreated 
►he  Lord  that  if  it  were  his  pleasure  that  I  should 


CONTENT.  187 

compile  or  write  something  to  direct  sinners  to  seek 
salvation,  lie  would  be  pleased  to  instruct  me  what 
to  say  and  what  to  write.  My  mind  was  directed 
to  produce  '  Tho  Sinner's  Friend,'  which  has  been 
made  a  blessing  in  every  quarter  of  the  world,  thus 
proving  that  from  apparently  very  small  causes 
great  effects  arise. 

"On  looking  into  the  pages  of  Bunyans  'Jerusa- 
lem Sinner,'  the  thought  occurred  to  me  that  in  the 
class  of  sinners,  Bunyan,  Newton,  and  }'our  poor 
father,  might  be  named  together,  only  in  that  class 
your  poor  father  taking  the  lead;  but  in  the  class 
of  saints  your  father  must  be  at  an  immense  dis- 
tance behind  either  of  them,  and  yet  not  separated 
from  the  Saviour.  Oh  no,  for  I  am  sure,  and  all 
the  arguments  in  the  world  could  not  convince  me 
to  the  contrary,  that  Jesus  ever  lives  in  my  heart  a 
most  welcome  guest,  dearly  loved,  my  soul's  un- 
ceasing joy.  Yes,  he  is  my  never  ceasing  joy, 
although  I  never  cease  to  mourn  for  sin,  sins  for- 
given. This  expression  may  appear  very  paradox- 
ical to  those  who  do  not  understand  the  subject ; 
but  I  mourn  because  of  my  past  ingratitude,  that 
in  the  midst  of  an  ocean  of  mercy  I  rebelled  against 
the  hand  whence  all  my  blessings  came ;  but  this 
does  not  in  the  least  interrupt  my  confidence  in  par- 
don purchased  by  a  Saviour's  blood.  What  infinite 
mercy,  dear  Newman,  that  you  as  a  minister  for 
Christ  are  placed  in  a  position  to  preach  this 
blessed  doctrine,  forgiveness  of  sins  that  are  past  to 
a  lost  and  ruined  world,  and  that  not  even  the  most 
abondoncd  shall  be  rejected — coming   to   Christ 


188  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

May  almighty  graco  bless  and  preserve  you  in 
every  step  you  take,  that  you  may  be  kept  humble 

and  watchful,  especially  against  the  temptation  of 
popularity.  Take  care;  be  watchful.  Dr.  Gor- 
don's conversion  I  pray  for." 

March  20,  1847.  This  day  the  Tract  Society 
published  a  new  edition  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend" 
in  Italian,  and  I  received  the  first  copy.  I  took  it 
into  my  hand,  and  on  my  knees  entreated  the  Lord 
to  accept  and  accompany  it  with  his  blessing  for 
Christ's  sake. 

Death  of  Col.  H .    Edinburgh.     This  dear 

redeemed  sinner  passed  from  earth  to  heaven  March 
6.  He  had  maintained  the  Christian  conflict  nine 
years,  giving  a  bright  evidence  to  all  around  of  the 
great  change  which  had  been  effected  in  his  soul : 
once  a  profane  swearer,  turned  to  a  man  of  fervent 
prayer — ever  praising  God.     He  told  the  Rev.  J. 

B- that  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  had  been  the 

saving  of  his  soul,  by  directing  him  to  Christ  tho 
sinner's  true  Friend. 

June  24.  This  evening  we  had  a  most  delightful 
prayer-meeting  in  our  house  of  about  forty.  We 
esteemed  it  a  great  mercy  to  be  allowed  and  dis- 
posed to  open  a  place  in  our  house  for  prayer.    Oh 

what  especial  mercy  to  hear  M and  S pour 

out  their  hearts  in  praise  and  prayer,  two  men  who, 
five  years  ago,  were  drunkards  and  most  profane 
blasphemers.  But  these  dear  men  were  not  so  de- 
praved as  John  Vine  Hall,  yet  the  Lord  has  made 
him  a  praying  man  for  the  last  thirty  years. 

My  dear  son  Newman  visited  Dr.  Malan  of  Ge  • 


CONTENT.  189 

neva,  at  his  own  residence,  on  the  lGth  of  August. 
He  took  a  letter  and  a  copy  of  "The  Sinner's 
Friend"  from  ine.  He  says,  "  On  entering  the  en- 
closure, we  saw  through  an  open  window  a  com- 
fortable party  at  tea,  one  an  old  man  with  grey 
hairs  in  curly  luxuriance  flowing  over  his  shoulders. 
On  our  entering  the  door,  he  came  forward,  and 
without  asking  my  business,  introduction,  or  any 
thing  else,  drew  us  both  to  the  table  and  made  us 
sit  down.  I  said  to  him, '  But  you  do  n't  know  who 
I  am  ;'  to  which  the  doctor  replied,  '  Oh,  but  I  know 
if  you  did  not  love  Jesus,  you  would  not  take  the 
trouble  to  come  and  see  me.'  " 

Sept.  7.  This  day  I  most  unexpectedly  received 
a  copy  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  the  Dutch  lan- 
guage. On  my  knees  I  presented  the  copy  before 
the  Lord.  I  was  quite  overwhelmed  by  such  an 
unexpected  favor,  as  I  had  not  known  of  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend"  having  been  translated  into  the  Dutch 
language. 

Oct.  21.  This  morning  I  received  from  St.  Pe- 
tersburg copies  of  two  editions  of  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  in  two  different  languages  spoken  in  the 
Russian  empire.  I  was  quite  overwhelmed  with 
gratitude  that  it  has  pleased  God  in  infinite  mercy 
to  clear  the  way  for  the  circulation  of  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend"  in  Russia.  I  immediately  on  my 
knees  presented  copies  to  the  Lord,  earnestly  pray- 
ing that  his  blessing  may  accompany  every  copy 
circulated  in  Russia. 

"  December,  18-47.  Dear  Arthur,  your  poor  father 
has  experienced  the  bitterness  of  sin,  though  through 


190  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

the  mercy  of  God  lie  Las  found  the  antidote,  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ.  Read  that  beautiful  chap- 
ter, second  of  Ephesians,  '  You  hath  he  quickened 
who  were  dead,  dead  in  sin.'  Dead — not  mere  nat- 
ural death ;  then  there  would  be  no  resistance  to 
the  divine  will;  but  it  is  spiritual  death.  Think  of 
the  power,  but  think  much  more  of  the  love  of  God 
to  obdurate  sinners.  Dead  in  sins,  without  Christ! 
Perhaps  it  may  have  been  so  even  with  us,  dear 
Arthur.  Without  Christ!  Misery  complete.  No 
hope,  nothing  but  fearful  apprehension  of  all  evil 
for  ever.  But  now  through  Christ  made  nigh,  nigh 
to  God.  But  do  we  think  what  the  blood  of  Christ 
implies  ?  "What  suffering  to  bring  us  nigh !  Do  we 
lay  these  things  to  heart,  clear  Arthur  ?  The  eye 
runs  over  the  words,  '  The  blood  of  Christ,'  but  is 
the  heart  impressed?  Oh  the  cost  of  that  precious 
blood !  The  efficacy  also  of  that  blood  :  peace  to 
those  who  were  at  enmity  with  God  ;  peace  also 
from  the  great  anxieties  of  life — anxieties  in  every 
station,  even  among  the  rich,  for  they  often  have 
far  more  anxieties  than  the  poorest  of  the  poor. 
Access  to  the  Father  ;  what  an  honor !  '  Fellow- 
citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of  the  household  of 
God.'  Household  of  God !  His  family,  his  chil- 
dren !  What  felicity,  what  security  against  harm; 
safe  from  every  foe.  Household  of  God  !  '  Habi- 
tation of  God  !'  God  resides  in  the  human  heart,  in 
those  hearts  once  in  rebellion  against  him?  Match- 
less grace !  How  careful  then  we  ought  to  be  not 
to  allow  any  other  occupant  to  engross  the  heart 
created  anew  and  quickened  for  the  habitation  of 


CONTENT.  191 

God  in  the  person  of  his  beloved  Son.  All  our  sal- 
vation depends  on  Christ ;  all  blessings  in,  b}r,  and 
through  Christ ;  all  our  blessings  in  him.  To  him 
wo  owe  all  our  deliverance  in  times  of  danger. 
Your  deliverance  from  blindness  or  death  when 
you  fell  on  the  steps  in  the  tower  at  Tintern  Abbey. 
I  fear  I  may  be  tiresome  to  you,  dear  Arthur,  bat 
my  mind  was  so  deeply  impressed  with  the  beauty 
and  the  vital  importance  of  the  second  chapter  of 
Ephesians,  that  I  could  not  refrain  from  writing 
you  a  few  of  my  thoughts  thereon.  May  the  grace 
of  God  ever  be  with  you,  to  keep  you  from  all  evil 
either  in  thought,  word,  or  deed,  that  you  may 
never  have  to  grieve  as  your  father  does  over  the 
sins  of  early  days." 

Maech  14, 1848.  I  enter  my  seventy-fifth  year  in 
perfect  bodily  health,  my  soul  panting  for  the  liv- 
ing God.  I  rely  solely  on  the  atonement  of  Christ 
for  acceptance  with  God,  and  for  the  pardon  of  all 
my  dreadful  sins.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  he  hath 
given  me  plenty  of  this  world's  goods,  more  than 
enough,  to  which  he  has  bountifully  added  a  bank- 
note of  eternal  life.  "  None  shall  pluck  you  out  of 
my  hands."     Oh  marvellous  mercy ! 

May  9.  "  Come  to  Jesus."  This  little  work  was 
published  this  day,  the  production  of  my  dear  son 
Newman.  I  took  several  in  my  hand,  and  on  my 
knees  held  them  up  before  the  Lord,  entreating  his 
blessing  to  accompany  them  in  the  same  successful 
manner  as  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  Oh  what  moiey 
that  father  and  son  are  each  engaged  in  calling  ein- 
ners  to  the  Saviour. 


192  JOHN   VINE   HALL 

May  2G.  This  clay  I  had  the  blessing  of  giving 
the  fifty-thousandth  gratuitous  copy  of  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend  "  to  a  poor  shoemaker.  "What  infinite 
mercy  to  have  been  thus  spared  in  life,  and  to  have 
had  the  power,  the  means,  and  the  will  to  disperse 
these  messengers  of  mercy  gratuitously,  in  addition 
to  many  thousands  for  which  I  obtained  the  money 
from  pious  Christians  by  begging  the  same  for  the 
sake  of  my  dear  Redeemer. 

Nov.  2.  Dr.  Gordon,  Hull.  A  letter  from  New- 
man, with  intelligence  of  the  increasing  illness  of  this 
excellent  man,  this  kind  and  generous  friend,  suffer- 
ing excruciating  inward  pain,  which  he  tries  to  con- 
ceal from  his  friends,  but  all  in  vain.  He  is  reduced 
to  a  skeleton,  yet  patient  in  the  extreme. 

Nov.  14.  Kent  Auxiliary  Bible  Society.  Annual 
Meeting.  Court  Hall,  Maidstone.  "While  presid- 
ing at  this  meeting,  I  put  up  a  silent  prayer  to  the 
Lord  to  accept  my  thanks  for  the  great  honor  be- 
stowed upon  me,  entreating  him  to  keep  me  humble, 
that  I  might  not  be  lifted  up  with  pride.  Oh  the 
blessed  change,  that  I  who  once  in  the  very  same 
room,  in  the  days  of  my  youth,  had  sported  in 
the  giddy  dance,  the  most  conceited  coxcomb  upon 
earth,  and  had  mingled  also  in  convivial  drinking 
parties  under  the  very  same  roof — that  I  should 
be  now  presiding  at  a  Bible  meeting,  praising  God. 
Oh  it  was  a  great  change  indeed. 

Dec.  7.  "  Tho  Wonderful  Escape,"  my  speech  at 
Exeter  Hall,  May,  1836.  This  day  received  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Hallock  of  the  New  York  Tract  Society, 
stating  that  they  had  printed  322,207  copies  of  that 


CONTENT.  193 

speech.  Who  would  ever  have  ventured  to  conjec- 
ture it? 

Jan.  22,  1849.  Wrote  dear  Dr.  Gordon  a  long 
note  of  gratitude  and  praise  for  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord  towards  him,  and  encouraged  him  to  trust 
implicitly  for  the  continuance  of  grace  until  the 
end. 

Sent  two  copies  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  to  the 
Queen  and  the  Prince.  Reply  from  the  Secretary 
of  the  Privy  Purse : 

"Buckingham  Palack,  Jan.  16,  1849. 
"Sir — I  am  directed  to  express  to  you  the  Queen's  and  the 
Prince's  thanks  for  the  copies  of  your  tract,  which  her  Majesty  and 
his  Royal  Highness  have  most  graciously  received.  You  must  allow 
me,  sir,  to  bear  my  humble  testimony  to  the  practical  usefulness 
of  your  little  work,  several  cases  of  which  have  come  under  my  own 
personal  observation.  There  is  no  tract  which  I  have  more  pleas- 
ure in  distributing  than  that  whose  title  and  text  refer  to  'The 
Sinner's  Friend.'  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  ser- 
vant,' etc. 

Jan.  30.  Dr.  Gordon  still  lingers  on  earth,  rejoic- 
ing with  ecstacy  in  redeeming  love.  His  new  birth 
has  unlocked  his  heart  and  loosened  his  tongue,  so 
that  he  is  now  full  of  rapture  in  speaking  boldly  of 
Christ.  He  preaches  the  gospel  affectionately  to 
every  one  who  visits  him,  and  openly  tells  what 
great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  him.  He  is 
indeed  "a  wonder  unto  many,"  but  especially  to 
those  about  his  bed,  who  have  long  been  the  follow- 
ers of  our  gracious  Lord  and  Saviour.  He  is  sink- 
ing gradually  to  the  tomb,  awaiting  the  approach  of 
death  without  a  particle  of  fear,  but  rather  rejoicing 
in  the  prospect  before  him.  He  is  lovely  in  his 
meekness  and  temper,  confessing  himself  a  sinner 


J'.lm  Vlil"  Rail. 


ldi  JOnN   VINE   HALL. 

with  implicit  confidence  in  the  righteousness  of 
Christ  alone  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul  His  say- 
ings arc  of  the  most  exquisite  kind — so  genuine,  so 
truly  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit  as  to  preclude 
every  doubt  of  his  acceptance  with  God. 

Feb.  3.  Journey  to  Hull.  We  were  very  soon  afc 
the  bedside  of  the  dying  saint.  But  what  a  meet- 
ing !  No  language  can  possibly  describe  it.  The 
joy  of  Dr.  Gordon  surpassed  all  imagination.  His 
look  of  love  spoke  unutterable  things  while  he 
told  us  the  great  things  Christ  had  done  for  him. 
We  remained  with  him  till  near  midnight.  His 
testimony  of  what  Christ  had  done  for  his  soul  was 
of  the  most  thrilling  description.  The  beautiful 
hymn,  "  There  is  a  happy  land,"  was  sung  in  his 
chamber  by  his  wish,  and  I  was  requested  to  offer 
prayer.  My  heart  was  full.  It  was  the  gate  of 
heaven. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  4.  Dr.  Gordon  much  worse  this 
morning.  We  came  to  Hull  just  in  time.  New- 
man's text,  "  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  de- 
part in  peace,  according  to  thy  word,  for  mine  eyes 
have  seen  thy  salvation."  Had  some  delightful 
conversation  with  dear  Dr.  Gordon.  He  wished  me 
continually  to  speak  of  Christ,  as  he  was  never  tired 
of  hearing.  He  kept  his  hand  in  mine  with  warm 
pressure  of  affection.  It  was  worth  a  thousand 
journeys  of  two  hundred  miles  to  see  and  hear  him, 
so  splendid  a  monument  of  redeeming  love.  Told 
him  how  great  pleasure  I  received  from  speaking  to 
him  of  Christ,  because  he  now  understood  me — that 
lie  now  knew  experimentally  the  love  of  God.     Dr. 


CONTENT.  195 

Gordon  is  the  most  interesting  evidence  of  the 
power  and  love  of  God  I  ever  beheld.  In  the 
afternoon  the  Lord's  supper  was  administered  in 
his  room ;  the  hymn,  "  There  is  a  land  of  pure  de- 
light," was  sung.  Oh  what  a  dying  scene !  May 
my  latter  end  be  like  his. 

May  2.  Pleasing  incident.  "Cast  thy  bread 
upon  the  waters,  and  thou  shalt  find  it  again  after 

many  days."     This  day  Mrs.  A addressed  me 

as  follows:  "About  six  years  ago,  sir,  you  were 
travelling  with  me  in  an  omnibus,  when  you  gave 
the  passengers  copies  of  'The  Sinner's  Friend.' 
On  reading  the  words,  '  Sinner,  this  little  book  is 
for  you,'  I  felt  offended,  because  I  then  thought 
myself  to  be  a  Christian ;  but  on  reading  the  little 
book  I  discovered  my  mistake,  which  led  me  to  seek 
the  kingdom  of  God  in  right  earnest,  and  ultimately 
to  unite  myself  with  the  church  of  Christ."  On  my 
knees  I  returned  thanks  to  the  Lord  for  this  new 
instance  of  his  mercy.  "What  encouragement  to 
sow  the  seed  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  on  every 
opportunity. 

July  6.  Scott's  Commentary  on  the  Bible.  Be- 
gan the  New  Testament  again  with  an  increased 
appetite  for  this  blessed  book,  which  I  had  previous- 
ly read  six  times  throughout,  making  large  extracts 
from  the  same.  I  had  previously  occupied  seven- 
teen years  in  the  study  of  Scott's  Commentary  on 
the  Old  and  New  Testament  with  unspeakable  de- 
light and  satisfaction.  It  has  been  my  great  hap- 
piness to  have  now  been  in  the  daily  study  of  the 
word  of  God  thirty-four  years,  never  ceasing  to  feel 


196  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

delight  therein,  with  earnest  prayer  for  the  teach- 
ing of  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  began  in  right  earnest  in 
1815. 

Oct.  10.  Your  clear  mother's  birthday.  What 
mercy  to  have  her  continued  to  us  so  many  years, 
yet  so  soon  gone.  But  there  is  a  state  where  time 
will  be  unknown,  and.  we  shall  enjoy  felicity  for  ever. 
I  have  been  in  an  agony  of  joy  this  morning — feel- 
ings which  God  alone  can  understand — the  results 
of  his  own  splendid  mercy.  This  morning  brought 
me  a  supply  of  contributions  to  the  full  extent  of 
my  prayers  for  answering  a  call  to  procure  Mala- 
gasy translations  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  and 
"  Come  to  Jesus."  I  knelt  before  the  Lord  almost 
suffocated  with  gratitude ;  being  alone,  I  wept  aloud 
for  joy  that  the  Lord  has  never  forsaken  me  when 
my  heart  has  been  directed  to  his  glory.  I  pray 
daily  that  "Come  to  Jesus"  and  "The  Sinner's 
Friend  "  may  run  together  calling  sinners  to  Christ. 
What  mercy,  what  cause  for  humility  that  father 
and  son  should  be  allowed  to  be  God's  instruments 
in  directing  sinners  to  the  Saviour !  The  nearer 
I  approach  the  end  of  my  course,  the  more  deeply 
I  feel  my  own  dreadful  sinfulness;  and  I  should 
derive  very  little  comfort  from  a  change  of  heart, 
were  it  not  that  "the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleans- 
eth  from  all  sin."  Let  him  that  thinketh  he  stand- 
eth,  take  heed.     Take  heed. 

1849.  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother.  No 
forms,  notions,  subscriptions  to  charities,  building 
chapels,  or  any  thing  else  which  looks  like  faith, 
zeal,  or  piety,  can  prove  that  man  to  be  a  true 


CONTENT.  197 

Christian  who  neglects  to  honor  his  father  and 
mother,  or  to  supply  their  wants  according  to  his 
ability.  Matt.  15  : 1-9.  The  blessing  of  the  Lord 
always  attends  the  observance  of  this  duty.  I  know 
it  by  experience.  The  Lord  mercifully  gave  mo  the 
opportunity,  ability,  and  practice  to  my  dear  moth* 
er,  which  he  has  blessed  a  thousand-fold. 

Feb.  14, 1850.  .Scott's  Commentary  on  the  Bible. 
Blessed  be  God,  I  have  now  purchased  eight  copies 
of  this  invaluable  work  for  my  dear  children,  a  copy 
for  each.  Oh  may  this  book  be  made  as  great  a 
blessing  to  my  beloved  children  as  it  lxas  been  to 
their  father,  who  has  with  intense  earnestness  and 
prayer  read  the  whole  of  the  Old  Testament  and 
notes  four  times,  and  the  New  Testament  six  times., 
making  many  extracts. 

.Maech  14.  Blessed  be  God,  my  first  waking 
thoughts  early  this  morning  went  up  to  him  with 
grateful  praises  that  he  had  brought  me  to  the 
commencement  of  my  seventy-seventh  year  in  per- 
fect health,  surrounded  with  every  temporal  com- 
fort. But  I  grieve  in  my  soul  on  account  of  my 
dreadful  sins.  Yet,  had  they  been  a  million  times 
worse,  they  are  not  beyond  the  cleansing  sacrifice 
of  my  precious  Kedeemer.  Thirty-eight  years  ago 
on  this  day,  March  14,  1812,  the  Lord  sent  his 
arrow  of  conviction  into  my  heart  to  bring  me  to 
that  precious  blood  which  cleanseth  from  all  sin, 
even  my  sins.  Oh  what  a  monument  of  mercy 
ami! 

Maech  16.  To  his  daughter  Eleanor.  "As  I  sup- 
pose you  have  received  Scott's  Bible,  I  pray  that 


198  JOHN   VINE    IIALL. 

our  gracious  God  may  make  the  reading  of  this 
splendid  Commentary  as  great  a  blessing  to  your 
soul  as  it  has  been  to  the  soul  of  your  now  poor  old 
father.  It  has  been  an  especial  mercy  that  I  have 
been  enabled  to  present  a  copy  of  this  work  tc 
every  one  of  my  eight  children,  to  whom  I  trust  a 
large  portion  of  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit  will  be 
poured  out,  that  they  may  be  indeed  the  children  of 
the  Most  High.  What  pleasure  does  it  impart  to 
us  that  your  dear  husband  preaches  the  gospel  in 
all  its  fulness,  purity,  and  truth.  The  Lord  bless 
him  in  all  his  ways.  What  a  blessing  to  have  Jesus 
always  in  the  heart.  Under  every  trial  or  perplex- 
ity we  thus  have  a  Bock  to  rest  upon  that  nothing 
can  possibly  remove.  He  is  never  unwilling  to  do 
his  people  good  ultimately,  though  the  blessing 
sometimes  seems  retarded  almost  beyond  our 
strength,  to  try  our  faith  whether  Ave  can  really  trust 
him  or  not  under  every  circumstance.  Ah,  dear 
child,  this  does  indeed  requiro  great  strength  of 
faith,  only  to  be  had  at  the  Fountain;  but  that 
Fountain  is  always  open  and  always  free  for  every 
thirsty  seeking  soul.  May  you  find  it,  dear  Nora, 
and  rejoice  in  it  also.  May  Christ,  our  dear,  dear 
Lord,  be  ever  the  welcome  occupant  of  your  dear 
affectionate  heart.     Amen." 

Sept.  1.  Visited  Mrs.  S at  the  almshouse. 

Found  her  ill  in  bed.  Spoke  to  her  of  Christ,  the 
only  way  to  heaven.  She  wept  exceedingly,  and 
for  some  time  could  not  speak  distinctly,  sobbing, 
"What  shall  I  do?"  Directed  her  to  look  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  whose 


CONTENT.  199 

blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin,  and  that  none  who 
come  to  God  by  him  shall  be  rejected.  She  had 
known  me  from  the  time  I  was  twelve  years  of  age, 
and  had  witnessed  the  follies  of  my  youth.  We 
had  often  danced  together  at  balls  and  private  par- 
ties, at  which  time  it  was  not  at  all  probable  that  I 
should  ever  come  to  speak  to  her  about  salvation. 
She  had  been  for  many  years  a  professed  Unita- 
rian, therefore  it  was  trying  work  to  speak  to  her  of 
Christ  as  the  only  way  to  God.  Told  her  of  what 
God  had  done  for  my  own  soul,  and  that  he  had 
sent  me  to  tell  her  the  way  of  acceptance  by  his 
only  begotten  Son — no  other  way.  Oh  may  the 
Lord  make  my  visit  useful  to  her  soul. 

Sept.  22.  This  day  commences  the  thirty-fifth 
year  of  my  great  emancipation  from  wine  and  spirit- 
uous liquor,  and  also  my  separation  from  the  world 
and  worldly  company.  Christ  has  been  my  constant 
companion  and  my  greatest  joy.  It  has  been  my 
supreme  delight  and  the  very  ecstasy  of  my  soul  to 
speak  of  him  and  his  mercy  to  poor  sinners.  Hun- 
dreds of  delicious  opportunities  have  I  been  per- 
mitted to  enjoy  of  this  kind  during  the  last  thirty- 
five  years,  to  testify  by  voice  and  life  that  I  am  not 
ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  for  I  know  by 
happy  experience  that  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation — salvation  in  the  hour  of  temptation.  Oh 
what  horrid  temptations  have  been  spread  in  my 
path,  frequently,  suddenly,  into  some  of  which  I 
might  have  fallen  had  it  not  been  for  the  grace  of 
God,  and  all  my  prospects  and  usefulness  would 
have  for  ever  been  destroyed.    A  voice,  seemingly 


200  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

from  heaven,  said  to  me  one  day  in  a  moment  of 
great  temptation,  "Flee."  I  ran  away  in  a  moment 
and  escaped  the  net.     Psa.  25 :  15. 

Dec.  11.  This  -morning,  between  six  and  seven 
o'clock,  J  repeated  fifteen  psalms,  twenty  hymns, 
and  the  fifty-fifth  and  fifty-eighth  chapters  of  Isaiah, 
and  the  second  chapter  of  Ephesians  and  part  of 
chapter  six,  from  verse  10  to  20,  praising  God  for 
a  retentive  memory  and  for  the  pleasure  of  retain- 
ing heavenly  things.  Oh  it  is  indeed  good  to  praise 
the  Lord  sleeping  and  waking. 

Maech  8,  1852.  This  afternoon  my  beloved  wifo 
and  self  took  possession  of  our  sweet  cottage  at 
Penenden  Heath.  "We  dedicated  ourselves  and  the 
house  in  prayer  to  our  gracious  God,  with  thank- 
fulness and  praise  for  so  sweet  a  retirement  in  our 
old  age. 

March  16.  Dear  Arthur  and  Warren.  These 
dear,  affectionate,  assiduous  sons  have  been  most 
persevering  in  getting  all  the  accounts  posted  up  to 
the  last  hour  of  my  retirement  from  business.  They 
have  been  the  great  comfort  of  my  life,  attending 
to  business  with  so  much  cheerfulness  and  untiring 
perseverance. 

May  6.  A  delightful  day  at  the  summer-house  on 
Boxley  Hill,  from  eleven  in  the  morning  till  seven  in 
the  evening.  A  large  family  party,  including  dear 
Newman  and  C ,  dined  and  had  tea  at  the  sum- 
mer-house. Nightingales  singing  sweetly,  and  we 
Bang  several  hymns  praising  God  for  his  great 
mercies. 

Oct.  6.  This  morning    in  my  walk  into  Maid- 


CONTENT.  201 

stone,  I  repeated  the  following  Psalms :  23,  25,  27, 
30,  34,  51,  8G,  91,  103,  11G,  121,  130,  139,  143, 145. 
Oct.  7.  This  morning,  in  my  walk  into  Maidstone, 
I  repeated  twenty-one  hymns,  which  occupied  me 
till  I  reached  the  bottom  of  Brewer-street.  These 
exercises  keep  the  soul  active.  I  bless  the  Lord  for 
the  pleasure  thus  afforded. 


202  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

CHAPTER   XI. 

SEEENE    AGE 
1853  TO  18G0-AGE  79-86. 

January  1,  1853.  Through  the  infinite  mercy  of 
God,  my  beloved  wife  and  self  are  brought  in  com- 
fort to  the  commencement  of  another  year.  We  are 
now,  as  it  were,  alone;  our  dear  children  all  sepa- 
rated from  us :  Edward  in  Maidstone,  M E— — - 

at  Tovil,  Newman  at  Hull,  E at  Eyam,  Arthur 

and  "William  at  Camden  Town,  S in  China,  and 

Vine  at  Calcutta.  But  we  are  not  alone,  for  the 
Lord  is  ever  with  us,  the  life  of  our  souls.  The  lines 
also  are  fallen  to  us  in  very  pleasant  places,  and  we 
have  a  goodly  heritage.  Through  the  kind  prov- 
idence of  God  we  are  favored  in  our  old  age  with 
more  than  sufficient  for  all  our  wants,  and  plenty  for 
the  poor  and  for  the  service  of  God,  and  above  all, 
our  love  for  each  other  is  warmer  than  ever.  Prais- 
ed be  the  Lord. 

March  14.  This  day,  by  the  mercy  of  God,  I 
commence  my  eightieth  year,  in  full  bodily  health 
and  vigor  of  mind,  surrounded  by  every  comfort. 
Long  before  the  dawning  of  the  day  my  heart  was 
lifted  up  to  God  with  praise.  In  my  dream  I  had 
been  praising  God  with  most  rapturous  feelings.  I 
was  quite  overwhelmed  with  ecstasy  at  his  mercy 
towards  mo.  My  tenderly  beloved  wife  was  also 
spared  to  me  in  increasing  love,  if  possible,  and  we 


SEKENE    AGE.  203 

praised  God  that  he  had  preserved  us  together  in 
happy  union  upwards  of  forty-six  years,  our  hearts 
mutually  united  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  wo 
dearly  love  as  our  only  hope  and  trust,  with  whom 
we  desire  ever  to  live  and  reign.  He  is  indeed  to  us 
"  the  Chief  among  ten  thousand,  and  the  altogether 
lovely." 

ArKiL  18.  I  was  honored  this  morning  by  the 
kindness  of  the  pious  Archbishop  of  Canterbuiy,  at 
his  palace  at  Lambeth.  His  lordship  met  me  in  the 
kindest  manner,  putting  forth  his  hand  with  ex- 
pressions of  real  pleasure  on  seeing  me.  I  opened 
my  whole  heart  to  him,  and  spoke  warmly  on  the 
love  of  Christ.  In  speaking  of  my  dear  son's  little 
work,  "Come  to  Jesus,"  he  said  it  contained  evan- 
gelical truths  without  going  round  about;  and  when 
I  spoke  of  my  little  work,  "The  Sinner's  Friend,"  he 
emphatically  said,  "Not  a  little  book.  I  eall  it  a 
great  book,  for  it  has  done  great  good  in  the  world." 

May  20.  A  day  ever  to  be  remembered ;  for  this 
day  1804,  forty-nine  years  ago,  was  the  first  time  of 
my  speaking  to  my  dear  Mary,  of  whose  name  and 
residence  I  was  perfectly  ignorant.  I  had  only 
watched  her  coming  and  going  to  Angel-street  chap- 
el, Worcester,  with  an  elderly  lady,  and  I  myself 
was  engaged  in  the  same  manner,  with  my  dear 
mother  leaning  on  my  arm,  and  the  similarity  of  our 
situation  awakened  my  sympathies,  so  that  I  fell  in 
love  with  this  young  stranger,  determined  to  find 
her  out,  and  endeavor  to  win  her  affections.  She 
had  not  then  reached  her  seventeenth  year.  A 
gentleman,  who  saw  me  apparently  in  conversation 


204  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

with  her,  asked  mc  the  next  day  how  long  I  had 
been  acquainted  with  Miss  Teverill,  the  cleverest 
girl  in  all  "Worcester.  Thus  I  learnt  her  name  and 
address.  The  next  day  I  was  introduced  to  the  fam- 
ily, and  thus  commenced  a  courtship  which  has 
proved  the  greatest  bliss  of  my  life.  AYe  have  loved 
each  other  most  ardently  forty-nine  years,  and  I 
think,  I  am  sure,  our  love  to  each  other  is  now  more 
warm  than  when  we  were  first  united  on  Tuesday» 
August  26, 180G. 

July  27.  I  do  trust  that  my  heart  pants  after 
God,  although  deeply  laden  with  sin.  I  am  sur- 
rounded with  mercy  upon  mercy,  a  paradise  to  dwell 
in,  all  the  free  gift  of  God.  My  dear,  dear  wife  is 
to  me  next  to  heaven  itself.  I  bless  the  Lord  with 
every  breath  for  the  gift  of  such  a  wife,  who  has 
been  the  dear  object  of  my  affection  more  than  forty- 
nine  years,  and  I  love  her  now  better  than  ever. 
She  is  the  joy  of  my  life.  We  shall  soon,  soon  bo 
separated  on  earth,  only  to  be  reunited  in  eternal 
glory  with  him  whom  we  both  so  dearly  love.  Prais- 
ed be  his  dear  name.  He  has  long  been  the  wel- 
come occupant  of  each  of  our  hearts.  May  he  be 
the  same  to  each  of  our  dear  children  and  their  chil- 
dren, that  we  may  all  meet  together  to  praise  God 
for  ever  and  ever. 

Oct.  5.  My  heart  increasingly  mourning  on 
account  of  past  sins.  I  awake  praying  the  Lord 
for  pardon.  I  walk  in  my  garden  praying  earnestly 
t<»  the  Lord.  I  take  off  my  hat,  and  looking  earnest- 
ly up  to  heaven,  I  pray  the  Lord  Jesus  to  look  upon 
the  purchase  of  his  precious  blood,  and  come  and 


SEIIENE    AGE.  205 

take  full  possession  of  my  heart,  that  heart  so  great- 
ly changed  by  sovereign  grace  and  almighty  love., 
My  heart  is  ever  yearning  after  the  Lord  Jesus. 

My  dear  son  S has  had  "Come  to  Jesus" 

translated  into  Chinese,  and  printed  at  Ningpo,  at 
his  own  expense. 

January  20,  1854.  A  feeling  of  deep  heartfelt 
sorrow  for  sin  came  upon  me  this  day.  Sins  of 
youth,  sins  of  age  all  crowd  upon  me  and  cause  my 
soul  to  grieve  before  God.  I  cry  for  mercy,  mercy 
treasured  up  in  Christ  Jesus.  O  what  should  I  do 
without  Christ?  I  have  no  other  refuge.  He  is  my 
all  in  all.  I  do  love  him  dearly.  It  is  the  greatest 
delight  of  my  life  to  tell  of  his  wondrous  mercy  to 
my  own  soul,  and  to  declare  boldly  what  he  Avill  do 
for  all  who  come  to  God  by  him.  It  is  a  comfort 
that  "a  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou 
wilt  not  despise." 

Jan.  22.  Visited  the  schools  and  classes  in  Albion 
chapel.  Addressed  a  class  of  young  men,  about  thir- 
ty.  Then  addressed  a  class  of  females,  about  thirty. 
Then  addressed  another  class  of  church-members, 
and  concluded  by  addressing  about  thirty  candidates 
for  church-fellowship. 

Feb.  22.  This  day  a  copy  of  "  The  Sinner's 
Friend,"  in  modern  Greek,  was  sent  me  from  Athens. 
My  heart  beat  high  and  warm  while  on  my  knees  I 
presented  the  copy  to  the  Lord,  praying  his  bless- 
ing to  accompany  "  The  Sinner's  Friend"  in  Greece, 

Maech  14.  This  morning,  by  the  mercy  of  God, 
I  commenced  my  eighty-first  year  in  sound  bodily 
.health,  mental  vigor,  my  soul  devoted  to  God.     I 


20G  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

have  no  words  wherewith  to  praise  the  Lord  ac- 
cording to  my  feelings  of  his  wondrous  goodness 
in  providence  and  grace:  in  providence,  a  goodly 
heritage,  lines  in  pleasant  places ;  in  grace,  a  pen- 
itent heart,  deep  sorrow  for  sin,  trusting  alono  in 
the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Christ  for  salvation, 
the  Lord  Jesus  my  onfy  refuge  as  the  Saviour  of  the 
lost. 

Mabch  28.  To  his  son  Newman.  "  How  shall  I 
begin  to  praise  the  Lord  for  his  great  mercy  in  the 
bestowment  of  a  son  to  sound  forth  salvation  in  the 
very  pulpit  where  Rowland  Hill  called  sinners  to 
repentance  ?  No  words  can  express  what  I  feel  for 
the  goodness  of  God  to  us  for  so  great  a  blessing. 
After  pouring  forth  our  heartfelt  thanks,  our  prayer 
was  for  humility,  and  to  be  kept  where  only  we  are 
safe,  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  But  we  have  to  pray 
also  for  our  dear  son,  that  he  may  not  be  lifted  up 
above  measure,  but  be  kept  in  a  constant  holy  spir- 
itual frame,  looking  momentarily  to  the  Lord,  to 
enable  him  to  discharge  his  responsible  duties  to  the 
glory  of  God.  It  might  appear  out  of  place  that  a 
mere  disciple  should  venture  to  admonish  a  minister; 
but  when  that  disciple  is  the  minister's  father,  he 
may  be  allowed  to  remind  his  dear  son  that  angels 
are  looking  upon  him,  that  the  Christian  world  is 
looking  upon  him,  desirous  that  he  should  not  only 
perform  the  duties  of  his  station,  but  that  his  lamp 
should  be  always  burning  with  a  clear,  unmistak- 
able light,  evidencing  that  the  grace  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  occupies  his  heart  to  the  very  full.  My  dear 
Newman  will  pardon  his  aged  father,  not  dictating, . 


SERENE    AGE.  207 

but  most  affectionately  admonishing  a  greater  watch- 
fulness than  ever,  seeing  that  the  honor  of  Christ 
himself  is  closely  united  with  the  walk  and  conver- 
sation of  his  disciples  in  the  midst  of  a  glowing  pro- 
fession and  an  ensnaring  world.  I  will  only  add, 
may  the  Lord  bless  you,  dear  Newman,  in  all  your 
ways,  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen." 

June  19.  At  a  meeting  of  deacons  I  resigned  my 
deaconship,  after  holding  it  twenty-four  years.  What 
infinite  mercy  that  I,  once  an  unbeliever,  should  ever 
have  been  unanimously  elected  by  the  church  to  be- 
come an  officer  in  the  service  of  God.  Praised  bo 
the  Lord  that  he  has  kept  me  all  these  years  in  the 
hollow  of  his  hand,  and  not  allowed  me  to  bring  any 
disrepute  upon  the  name  of  Christ.  Oh  that  my 
heart  may  ever  be  the  abode  of  my  blessed  Lord. 

July  2.  Sabbath-day  at  Surrey  chapel.  Dear 
Newman  commenced  his  pastorate  this  day.  At  the 
door  we  were  welcomed  by  our  dear  Edward,  and 
were  soon  joined  by  our  dear  Arthur.  In  the  even- 
ing we  all  sat  in  the  same  pew,  exactly  opposite  the 
pulpit,  praising  God.  Newman's  morning  text, 
""Who  is  sufficient,"  etc.,  and,  "Brethren,  pray  for 
us."  Evening,  "Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay 
than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Christ  Jesus."  A  pray- 
er-meeting was  held  in  the  vestry  the  previous  even- 
ing by  the  elders  and  trustees.  Newman  and  self 
present. 

July  17.  To  his  son.  "  I  am  not  insensible  lo  thb 
mercy  of  God  in  your  transition  to  the  pulpit  of  the 
sainted  Eowland  Hill.  It  is  not  only  a  great  change 
but  a  great  responsibility,  pregnant  with  events  of 


208  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

the  most  important  kind.  Woe  to  the  ambassador, 
if  he  be  not  faithful  to  the  charge!  Ho  may  well 
exclaim,  'Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?'  Yet, 
his  feet  firmly  on  the  Rock  of  ages,  he  may  boldly 
express  his  confidence  that  'other  foundation  can 
no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid.'  The  prayers  of  hun- 
dreds, nay,  thousands,  have  been  offered  for  you,  but 
by  none  more  earnestly  and  affectionately  than  by 
your  father  and  mother.  We  are  now  agitated  with 
much  anxiety  on  account  of  our  own  projected  re- 
moval to  London,  that  we  may  all  as  a  family  be 
united  in  the  service  of  our  gracious  God.  The 
time  will  very  soon  arrive  when  we  shall  be  again 
separate,  only  for  a  short  time,  to  be  reunited  in  a 
kingdom  of  never-ending  holiness  and  bliss.  If  there 
is  one  thing  in  the  world  which  I  long  and  pray  for 
more  than  any  other,  it  is  a  holy,  contrite,  believing 
heart,  full,  overfull  of  love  to  my  gracious  Lord  and 
Saviour,  who  has  purchased  me  with  his  precious 
blood.     To  him  be  endless  praises.     Amen." 

Sabbath,  Sept.  3.  To-day  my  beloved  wife  and 
self  renewed  our  vows  to  our  Lord  at  Week-street 
chapel,  probably  the  last  time.  Our  dear  pastor  in 
a  most  feeling  manner  spoke  of  our  expected  de- 
parture. After  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  supper 
I  addressed  the  communicants,  commending  them 
to  that  gracious  God  from  whom  we  had  experienc- 
ed such  great  mercies  during  nearly  forty  years' 
membership  at  Week-street,  and  during  which  time 
I  had  been  twenty-four  years  a  deacon. 

Sept.  12.    This  morning  we  bade  farewell  to 
Maidstone,   and  were  heartily   welcomed  by   our 


SERENE    AGE.  209 

dear  sons  Arthur  and  Warren  at  Camden  Town,  near 
London. 

Sept.  20.  This  evening  my  dear  sons  Newman 
and  Arthur  were  engaged  in  open-air  preaching 
near  the  Obelisk,  Blackfriars  road,  to  about  four 
hundred  persons,  all  attentive  and  respectful.  "  Oh 
what  mercy  that  dear  Arthur  should  have  thus  been 
engaged  with  his  brother  in  speaking  for  the  Sav- 
iour. Praises  ten  thousand  times  to  our  gracious  God. 

Sept.  22.  This  evening  my  beloved  wife  and  self 
took  possession  of  our  new  dwelling,  Heath  Cottage, 
Kentish  Town.  We  on  our  knees  consecrated  our 
dwelling  and  ourselves  anew  to  our  gracious  God, 

with  thankfulness  and  praise.    N ,  C ,  A , 

and  W ,  came  to  supper,  and  we  closed  the 

evening  with  prayer  and  chanting  the  twenty-third 
Psalm.  What  infinite  mercy  that  all  my  children  are 
seeking  the  Lord. 

Oct.  27.  Saw  a  poor  old  negro,  and  on  convers- 
ing with  him  found  that  he  was  a  servant  of  the 
Lord  Jesus.  He  had  been  a  slave  from  Africa,  but 
his  master  had  given  him  his  freedom.  My  heart 
praised  the  Lord  for  this  great  treat  in  meeting  a 
poor  black  follower  of  Jesus.  When,  with  a  few 
pence,  I  put  a  copy  of  "Come  to  Jesus"  into  his 
hand,  he  looked  at  the  title  and  pathetically  exclaim- 
ed, "Jesus !  ah,  he  has  been  with  me  many  years. 
Yes,  he  is  my  strength  and  my  support."  On  ask- 
iug  him  how  he  came  to  know  all  this,  he  said  his 
master  had  taught  him,  and  he  hoped  he  was  in 
heaven,  for  he  was  a  good  master.  I  hope  to  see  this, 
black  Christian  again. 


210  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

Dec.  21.  At  the  request  of  my  son  Newman,  I 
addressed  nearly  one  hundred  persons  in  the  school- 
room of  Surrey  chapel,  on  the  love  of  Christ,  his 
willingness  to  take  possession  of  every  heart.  I  was 
exceedingly  warm  in  exhortation  and  encouragement 
to  all  to  come  to  Jesus.  The  people  were  excessive- 
ly kind,  very  many  of  them  stretching  forth  their 
hands  to  take  hold  of  mine,  expressing  their  thanks. 

Cheistmas  day.  I  drove  dear  Mary  to  Surrey 
chapel,  a  large  congregation.  Family  party  to  din- 
ner.    No  wine.     Sang  and  praised  God. 

Dec.  27.  Saw  the  poor  negro  sweeping  the  foot- 
path near  the  model  prison.  Gave  him  a  shilling 
for  Jesus'  sake.  The  poor  man  looked  on  the  mon- 
ey with  a  smile  and  said,  "Ah,  my  Massa  sent  me 
dis."  Special  prayer-meeting  this  evening,  Kentish 
Town  Congregational  church,  for  the  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  Mr.  Fleming  very  faithful  in  ad- 
dressing the  congregation,  as  to  what  progress  they 
had  made  in  the  ways  of  God  during  the  last  fifty- 
two  weeks.  If  I  inquire  of  myself,  how  have  I  been 
making  progress  during  the  last  year,  I  think  I  can 
answer  sincerely,  I  love  the  Lord  more  than  ever; 
I  repent  of  sin  more  than  ever;  I  hate  sin  more  than 
ever ;  I  pant  after  holiness  more  than  ever ;  I  trust 
entirely  in  the  sacrifice  of  Christ  more  than  ever  for 
the  salvation  of  my  soul ;  I  feel  gratitude  to  God  for 
his  mercies  to  myself,  my  dear  wife,  and  my  chil- 
dren more  than  ever;  I  love  my  dear  wife  more  than 
ever ;  I  feel  an  earnestness,  a  warmth  in  prayer  more 
than  ever;  I  exercise  and  enjoy  mental  and  ejacnla- 
tory  prayer  more  than  ever;  the  Lord  Jesus  is  ever 


SERENE   AGE.  211 

in  my  heart,  my  exceeding  joy  and  my  supreme  de- 
light, more  than  ever.  Praised  be  his  dear  name. 
I  believe  that  what  I  have  here  written  is  the  very 
breath  of  my  soul,  the  truth. 

Dec.  31.  Watch-night.  I  drove  my  dear  Mary 
and  Eleanor  to  Surrey  chapel  this  morning,  and  in 
the  evening  wo  went  again  to  be  present  at  the 
watch-night  service.  The  chapel  literally  crammed. 
Many  persons  could  not  obtain  admission.  About 
2,500  present. 

January  16,  1855.  The  Eev.  W.  C.  Milne  sent 
me  the  first  copy  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  trans- 
lated by  him  into  Chinese.  On  iny  knees  I  present- 
ed this  copy  to  the  Lord,  with  praise  that  he  had 
spared  my  life  to  behold  this  little  work  printed  in 
Chinese.  What  mercy  that  I  should  have  been 
spared  to  witness  the  publication  of  two  hundred 
and  ninety  editions  of  the  tract,  in  twenty-three 
languages,  comprised  in  1,268,000  copies.  All  praise 
to  the  Lord,  for  it  is  entirely  his  own  work  in  putting 
it  into  my  heart  to  write  this  apparently  mere  trifle, 
which  the  Lord  has  so  greatly  accompanied  with  his 
blessing  to  poor  sinners. 

May  2.  I  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  So- 
ciety at  Exeter  Hall.  3.  Attended  meeting  of  the 
London  City  Mission.  Dear  Newman  spoke.  4. 
Tract  Society  meeting,  Exeter  Hall.  I  was  prevent- 
ed attending  this  meeting  by  a  cold — much  disap- 
pointed. Mr.  Gill,  from  Rarotonga,  spoke  warmly 
of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend,"  as  the  fourth  publication 
in  the  native  language.  9.  London  missionary  ser- 
mon at  Surrey  chapel.     Dr.  Raffles  preached  one 


212  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

hour  and  a  half.     W and  self  held  collecting 

boxes  at  the  doors.  10.  Attended  the  anniversary 
of  the  London  Missionary  Society.  Went  at  ei^ht 
o'clock.  The  chair  was  taken  by  Lord  Shaftesbury 
at  ten  o'clock.     Concluded  at  three. 

June   28.    I  visited  a  man  named  C near 

Surrey  chapel,  confined  to  his  bed  several  years 

Mr.  C had  known  me  in  Maidstone,  from  l8U(i 

to  1803,  having  been  One  of  my  early  companions 
He  had  heard  of  my  conversion  forty  years  ago,  and 

was  so  rejoiced  at  it  that  he  told  it  to  Mr.  K 

one  of  my  old  companions,  who  on  hearing  it  sai£ 
he  should  not  wonder  now  at  any  thing.  At  his  re- 
quest I  prayed  with  him.     He  knew  me  when  I  wat 

a  poor  blasphemer.     Mrs.  C also  knew  me  at 

that  time.  O  what  a  change  does  she  now  see. 
Now  we  knelt  together  at  the  footstool  of  divine 
mercy.  Praised  be  the  Lord.  What  a  glorious1 
manifestation  of  his  saving  power.  Conducted  the 
inquirers'  prayer-meeting  at  Surrey  chapel.  Spoke 
very  warmly  from  the  words,  "The  Lord  will  abun- 
dantly pardon."  I  felt  very  warm  indeed  towards 
these  dear  people,  young  and  old,  about  forty  of 
whom  came  up  to  shake  me  kindly  by  the  hand. 
The  Lord  be  praised  for  any  good  which  may  arise. 
Oh  for  a  humble  heart. 

July  1.  Arthur  preached  in  the  open  air  this 
evening  in  a  field.  Newman  preached  in  the  open 
air  at  the  Obelisk,  after  evening  service  at  Surrey 
chapel.  Oh  what  infinite  mercy  that  my  two  dear 
sons  are  thus  engaged  in  calling  sinners  to  seektho 
Lord. 


SERENE    AGE.  213 

Aug.  2G.  Wedding  day.  Forty-nine  years  ago 
ray  beloved  Mary  and  self  were  united  in  matrimo- 
ny. I  think  wo  love  each  other  better  than  ever, 
praising  the  Lord  for  his  great  mercy  in  having 
brought  us  together,  and  preserved  us  in  health  and 
comfort  to  the  present  time.  I  drove  my  dear  Mary 
and  Newman  to  Surrey  chapel  this  morning. 

Sept.  10.  "Wonder,  love,  and  praise.  What  great 
things  hath  the  Lord  done  for  me,  once  an  infidel, 
blasphemer,  and  every  thing  evil,  to  have  the  heart 
so  completely  changed  to  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
with  sincerity  of  soul,  and  to  have  been  raised  up  to 
become  twenty-two  years  a  deacon  in  the  church  of 
Christ  at  Maidstone,  and  now  invited  to  become  one 
of  the  elders  in  the  church  of  Christ  in  Surrey  chapel, 
and  my  dear  son  Newman  the  pastor  of  the  said 
church.  Praised  be  the  Lord.  Oh  for  a  humble 
heart  and  a  watchful  spirit,  that  I  may  never  forget 
the  hole  of  the  pit  whence  I  have  been  digged.  May 
I  set  the  Lord  always  before  me. 

Oct.  16.  From  Piev.  Eichard  Knill.  "Dear  old 
Saint — I  bless  God  that  you  were  ever  born,  and 
that  you  were  born  again,  and  that  you  have  written 
for  the  glory  of  God  and  for  the  good  of  souls.  And 
now  dear  Newman  and  Arthur  are  following  their 
father's  steps.  Please  give  my  love  to  dear  Mrs. 
Hall  and  your  beloved  children.  While  I  was  pre- 
paring to  preach  in  the  fields  at  Tintworth  I  rup- 
tured a  bloodvessel,  and  was  nearly  drowned  in  my 
own  blood.  God  has  been  very  gracious  to  me,  so 
that  I  am  able  to  preach  once  a  week  again,  but  I 
have  lost  my  youthful  buoyancy,  and  wish  to  stand 


214  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

in  a  waiting  posture  every  da}'  to  obc)  the  summons 
to  depart  and  to  be  with  Christ.  I  hope  to  see  you 
coming  after  me,  if  I  go  first;  and  what  a  meeting 
we  shall  have!  Shall  I  sing  louder  than  you?  I 
should  like  to  do  so.     Farewell  till  we  meet  in  glory. " 

Oct.  16.  This  day  T A and  myself  visit- 
ed the  archbishop  at  Addington.  His  grace  met 
me  at  the  door  of  his  study,  and  put  forth  his  hand 
with  a  hearty  shake,  expressing  great  pleasure  at 
seeing  me  again.  On  making  some  excuse  for  my 
warmth  of  feeling,  he  said  he  was  glad  to  see  it,  for 
there  was  apt  to  be  too  much  coldness.  And  on  my 
expressing  thankfulness  for  his  kindness,  he  said  lie 
should  not  expect  anybody  to  be  unkind  to  the 
author  of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  He  said  ho  thought 
that  much  of  its  usefulness  might  be  attributed 
to  its  containing  gospel  truths  without  going  round 
about.  I  was  all  in  a  blaze  in  speaking  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  the  love  of  God  in  each  of  our  hearts.  There 
appeared  no  difference  between  us.  Who  would 
ever  have  thought,  fifty  years  ago,  that  poor  J.  V. 
H.,  then  engulfed  in  misery  and  sin,  should  become 
a  welcome  visitor  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
to  unite  with  him  in  praises  to  God  ?  Also  to  have 
been  chosen  an  elder  of  Surrey  chapel.  To  God 
alone  be  all,  all  the  glory. 

Oct.  22.  This  evening  Mr.  Webb  and  myseJf 
were  publicly  acknowledged  and  received  as  elders 
of  Surrey  chapel.  Newman  announced  this  inter- 
esting setting  apart  in  the  most  touching  manner, 
alluding  to  his  own  early  introduction  to  acquaint- 
ance with  hoi}'  tilings  by  his  dear  mother,  who  was 


SEKENE   AGE.  215 

present,  having  directed  his  mind  that  way  by  read- 
ing "Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,"  and  comment- 
ing thereon.  The  school-room  was  literally  cram- 
med; a  most  solemn,  holy  occasion.  Oh  bless  the 
Lord,  my  soul,  for  this  especial  mercy  in  having  de- 
livered my  soul  from  death,  and  raised  me  up  to  be 
numbered  with  his  people  in  prayer  and  praise.  Is 
any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ? 

Dec.  16.  I  desire  to  bless  the  Lord  that  I  am 
brought  to  rest  all  my  hopes  of  eternal  bliss  upon 
Jesus  Christ  alone.  I  have  been  greatly  tried  by 
looking  to  my  past  dreadful  sins,  of  which  I  deeply 
repent  every  moment,  daily  praying  ttie  fifty-first 
Psalm. 

Dec.  31.  Present  at  the  prayer-meeting  and  the 
watch-night.  J.  V.  H.  engaged  in  prayer.  At  half- 
past  ten  the  watch-night  service  commenced;  a 
most  glorious  assemblage  of  upwards  of  2,500  per- 
sons. The  praj-er-meeting  was  indeed  a  meeting  of 
solemn  and  heartfelt  prayer,  with  warm  thankfulness 
to  God  for  his  mercy  during  the  past  year.  Rev.  E. 
Cecil  first  gave  a  lecture  on  the  past ;  Rev.  W.  Brock 
on  the  present;  dear  Newman  on  the  future.  A 
watch-night  service  was  also  held  at  Kentish  Town. 
Our  dear  Arthur  presided.  They  had  a  glorious 
meeting.  Oh  what  infinite  mercy,  my  dear  children, 
with  father  and  mother,  all  engaged  and  delighting 
in  the  service  of  the  Lord.  Praised  be  his  holy  name 
Amen  and  Amen. 

February  9,  1856.  Dear  Newman  and  my  dear 
wife  quite  scold  me  for  mourning  so  much  on  ac- 
count of  my  past  sins.     Ah,  they  little  think  of  the 


216  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

nature  and  filth  of  the  sins  of  my  youth.  I  have  in- 
deed sunk  in  deep  mire,  and  although  I  have  been 
snatched  as  it  were  from  the  very  centre  of  hell,  and 
have  been  preserved  nearly  forty  years,  yet  I  can- 
not forget  my  vileness,  nor  cease  to  grieve  from  the 
heart  with  the  deepest  sorrow  for  sin.  I  mourn  in 
agony  and  pain.  Still  I  would  endeavor  to  trust  in 
that  precious  blood  shed  for  all  manner  of  sin. 

Feb.  17.  Teloogoo  edition  of  "The  Sinner's 
Friend"  presented  me  this  day  from  the  Tract  So- 
ciety.    Prayed  the  Lord  to  accept  my  thanks. 

March  4.   B ,  gardener,  here  at  work,  sober. 

Spoke  encouragingly  to  him  not  to  be  out  of  heart, 
but  make  use  of  prayer  for  strength  to  resist  his  be- 
setting sin,  once  my  own,  but  God  has  delivered  me. 

Why  not  deliver  B ?     Lord,  have  mercy  upon 

him,  and  deliver  him  for  Christ's  sake. 

June  17.  I  feel  my  soul  more  quieted  by  repos- 
ing entirely  upon  the  sacrifice  of  Christ.  If  I  perish, 
I  perish  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  O  Lord  increase 
my  faith.  I  am  looking  to  Christ  every  hour.  He 
is  all  in  all  to  me.  If  I  did  not  believe  his  word  I 
should  sink  into  utter  despair.  Neither  repentance 
nor  amendment  of  life,  nothing  but  the  payment  of 
my  debt  by  the  sacrifice  of  Christ,  can  possibly  save 
me  from  eternal  ruin.  But,  blessed  be  God,  the 
blood  of  Christ  was  shed  for  the  sins  of  the  whole 
world,  for  every  one  who  believes  in  him.  Praised 
be  the  Lord  for  such  magnificent  mercy.  This 
morning  I  called  on  the  archbishop  at  Lambeth 
Palace.  He  welcomed  me  as  a  brother  in  Jesus, 
and  was  pleased  to  say  that  I  had  done  much  for 


- 

I   by  "T". 
me  with  a  small  Bi 

autL  H 

are  very  warm-L  lit.  Hall :"  to  which  . 

plie>  I  mj  lord. 

occupies  m v  Lear*  is  which  k 

in  u  -  -  when  s; 

Joli19.  Praised  b 
thin   - 

-    -  -  .       - 

itude 

I  nl  upon  the  sa<: 

-1.    Trip  -  _ 

:  .  "  ~  _  "  [     ■■    ; 

: 
exprv-         I    ngor.     "We  four  Baot- 

.  -  _ 

Lord 
with  IT :  ~_  ■ 

L"  : 
all     In  the  ever.-    .  ilar  *»«1 

;•:-•  -:-">::  i.    lr:  ."_•-.--.      ~"    .  ".:-      :    ir_    "■"__"_ 
22.   Et 
.  :ient  ea 
: 

By  c  .  - 

•i 

two  ftwuln 


218  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

cottagers.  23.  Snowdon.  This  morning  my  dear 
Mary,  and  self  on  ponies,  with  Newman  and  Arthur, 
reached  the  summit  in  two  hours  and  a  half.  A 
cloud  on  the  top  prevented  a  prospect,  but  the  va- 
rious views  in  our  ascent  were  sublime.  Near  tho 
top  is  a  narrow  path  three  yards  wide,  called  "  the 
Saddle,"  3,000  feet  high,  with  a  precipice  on  each 
side  a  thousand  feet.  Over  this  frightful  place  we 
rode  with  perfect  safety,  but  not  without  some  little 
thought  as  to  the  fatal  result  if  the  horses  should 
stumble.  We  found  several  travellers  on  the  top, 
where  were  three  coffee-houses,  and  we  were  soon 
supplied  with  broiled  ham  and  good  coffee.  Gave 
three  "Sinner's Friend,"  Welsh,  to  three  Welshmen. 
I  rode  all  the  way  from  the  top  of  Snowdon  to 
Beddgelert,  where,  as  soon  as  we  arrived,  my  dear 
Mary  and  self  knelt  before  the  Lord  with  thankful- 
ness. Below  the  summit  of  the  mountain  all  was 
fine  and  clear.  Eight  and  a  half  hours  occupied  in 
this  excursion.  I  woidd  not  undertake  it  again  upon 
any  representation,  although  the  whole  prospect  is 
of  the  most  exciting  description,  a  world  of  wonders. 
Three  men  at  the  top  sang  some  anthems  most  de- 
lightfully. Newman  and  Arthur  in  vain  attempted 
to  persuade  me  to  approach  the  edge  of  a  precipice 
over  a  most  frightful  abyss,  but  my  dear  Mary  had 
more  courage  and  she  ventured  nearer  than  I  dared 
to  do.  What  mercy  that  no  dizziness  came  upoji 
her.  I  had  prayed  the  Lord  to  protect  her.  She 
walked  down  the  dreadful  declivity  of  "the  Saddle," 
Newman  and  Arthur  close  by  her  side.  Arthur  hud 
placed  my  mackintosh  cape  on  the  ground  for  hi& 


SERENE   AGE.  219 

dear  mother  to  sit  upon,  but  he  forgot  to  take  it  up 
again,  therefore  it  was  lost,  though  it  may  prove  a 
welcome  prize  to  some  poor  traveller. 

Aug.  26.  Wedding  day.  Fifty  years  have  now 
been  completed  since  I  was  united  to  my  beloved 
wife,  still  continued  to  me  in  good  health  by  the 
abounding  mercy  of  an  ever  gracious  God.  Bless- 
ings upon  blessings  have  attended  us  all  our  days. 
We  are  both  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  sur- 
rounded by  every  comfort,  affectionate  children,  and 
above  all  Jesus  Christ  in  our  hearts.  God  be  prais- 
ed for  the  unspeakable  gift  of  his  beloved  Son. 

Sept.  22.  On  the  22d  of  September,  1816,  forty 
years  ago,  I  was  enabled,  by  divine  grace  and  mer- 
cy, to  abandon  entirely  the  use  of  wine  of  any  kind 
and  spirituous  liquor,  not  a  drop  of  either  having 
passed  the  surface  of  my  tongue  during  all  those 
forty  years.  God  be  praised.  And  what  is  almost 
miraculous,  not  the  slightest  desire  after  them  has 
ever  haunted  me;  but  on  the  contrary,  the  most 
positive  disgust  has  occupied  my  mind  at  the  very 
smell.  Having  been  many  years  the  slave  of  strong 
drink,  I  might  have  been  tempted  to  return  to  it, 
but  God  in  tender  mercy  changed  the  whole  of  my 
nature,  and  enabled  me  to  triumph  over  my  once 
besetting  sin,  in  his  strength  and  in  that  alone. 
Also  he  has  caused  the  love  of  Christ  to  occupy  my 
soul,  making  it  my  supreme  delight  to  promote  his 
glory.  "  I  'm  lost  in  wonder,  love,  and  praise," 
when  I  consider  what  God  has  done  for  me  in  prov- 
idence as  well  as  grace.  Beginning  life  without  a 
shilling,  He  raised  me  up  to  be  a  Joseph  in  Egypt 


220  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

to  my  poor  mother  and  my  two  brothers,  all  long 
since  gono  the  way  of  all  flesh.  My  poor  mother, 
in  writing  me  for  pecuniary  aid,  addressed  me,  "My 
dear  Joseph  in  Egypt,  the  corn  is  almost  gone,  and 
I  look  to  you  again  to  supply  my  need."  It  pleased 
God  so  to  prosper  me,  that  I  was  able  to  supply  all 
her  temporal  wants.  She  died  praying  for  her  then 
prodigal  son.  The  Lord  gave  me  the  disposition 
and  opportunity  to  help  many  others,  to  the  grate- 
ful rejoicing  of  my  heart.  In  adition  to  a  vast  num- 
ber of  various  tracts,  I  have  enjoyed  the  privilege 
of  distributing  gratuitously  upwards  of  57,800  cop- 
ies of  "  The  Sinner's  Friend."  But  it  is  all  of  the 
Lord.  He  put  it  into  my  heart  to  write  "  The  Sin- 
ner's Friend,"  which  he  has  followed  with  his  bless- 
ing. "  Oh  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his 
goodness." 

Nov.  3.  Death  of  Rev.  Edmund  Jenkins.  This 
faithful  servant  of  the  Lord  had  been  forty  years 
the  beloved  pastor  over  the  Independent  church  at 
Maidstone,  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  He 
had  been  to  us  a  most  faithful  friend  in  every 
trial. 

Nov.  8.  I  have  loved  Christ  dearly  many,  many 
years,  and  all  his  people  of  every  denomination, 
and  I  do  love  them  still,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  more 
and  more,  and  this  causes  increasing  pain  that  I 
have  sinned  so  deeply  against  him.  I  mourn  hourly 
on  account  of  sin;  still  I  dare  hope  for  mercy  through 
the  sacrifice  of  Christ.  This  day  attended  the  fu- 
neral of  our  late  pastor.  Newman  gave  an  impres- 
sive address.  A  large  number  of  ministers  and  many 


SERENE   AGE.  221 

friends  proceeded  to  the  Weslcyan  burying-ground 
amid  heavy  rain.  Kindly  greeted  by  several  of  our 
old  acquaintances.  The  street  was  lined  with  spec- 
tators up  to  the  grave. 

Feb.  26.  This  evening  my  dear  Mary  and  self, 
with  Newman  and  C ,  went  to  the  House  of  Com- 
mons to  hear  the  debate  on  China.  Newman  and 
self  sat  in  the  speaker's  gallery ;  my  dear  Mary  and 

C in  the  ladies'  gallery.     The  debate  was  most 

animated.     The  house  rose  at  twenty  minutes  past 

twelve.     Mr.  F.  C was  exceedingly  courteous, 

found  his  way  to  C and  Mary,  and  gave  them 

ices  and  tea,  and  then  brought  us  oranges.  He 
afterwards  conducted  us  into  various  parts  of  the 
magnificent  building. 

Maech  14.  The  Lord  has  spared  me  to  enter  my 
eighty-fourth  year  in  full  health  of  body  and  mind, 
but  a  sinful  heart.  The  Lord  in  my  own  person 
has  verified  the  truth  of  the  ninety -first  psalm: 
"With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him;"  the  Lord  has 
also  "delivered  me  and  honored  me"  in  various 
ways,  by  giving  me  the  friendship  and  love  of  so 
many  dear  Christian  friends.  Dined  at  Newman's. 
Received  congratulatory  letters  from  several  of  my 
children. 

July  23  Frightful  mutiny  of  native  troops  in 
India.  Forty  Europeans,  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, murdered  at  Delhi,  which  city  is  in  possession 
of  the  rebels,  who  amount  to  many  thousands.  Tho 
Golden  Fleece,  commanded  by  dear  Vine,  chartered 
to  take  troops.  Aug.  3.  Delhi  still  in  possession  of 
the  rebels.     Forty  of  the  rebels  blown  away  from 


222  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

the  mouths  of  guns.     These  troubles  in  India  are 
a  retribution  for  our  unjust  attack  on  China. 

Aug.  27.  Took  the  chair  at  temperance  meeting 
at  Surrey  chapel.  Rev.  T.  Cuyler,  from  New  York, 
gave  a  lecture.  Rev.  Hugh  Allen  proposed  a  vote 
of  thanks  to  Mr.  Cuyler.  Eighteen  hundred  per- 
sons present.  I  commenced  the  meeting  by  a  short 
address,  as  follows : 

"  Allow  me,  my  friends,  to  introduce  myself  to 
you  as  an  old  teetotaller,  probably  the  oldest  in  this 
assembly.  When  it  pleased  God,  many  years  ago, 
to  call  me  by  his  grace,  I  felt  it  necessary  to  forego 
the  use  of  wine  and  strong  drink,  lest  at  an  un- 
guarded moment  I  might  abuse  the  use  of  the  same, 
and  bring  dishonor  upon  the  name  of  Christ.  I 
prayed  God  to  give  me  strength  to  resist  every 
temptation  to  evil.  The  Lord  mercifully  answered 
that  prayer.  This  was  more  than  forty  years  ago, 
and  from  that  time  to  the  present  hour,  blessed  be 
God,  not  so  much  as  a  single  drop  of  wine  or  spir- 
ituous liquor  has  ever  passed  the  surface  of  my 
tongue.  I  never  drink  any  thing  stronger  than  tea 
or  coffee,  and  although  the  enemies  of  temperanco 
may  insinuate  that  such  simple  beverages  will  never 
give  strength,  yet  I  stand  here  a  witness  to  the  con- 
trary; for  although  a  few  years  have  passed  since 
my  eightieth  birthday,  I  am,  through  the  mercy  of 
God,  full  of  health  and  strength,  the  love  of  God 
cheering  my  soul,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  ever  dwelling 
in  my  heart  a  welcome  guest,  my  only  hope  of  glory. 
I  am  so  convinced  by  happy  exj3erience  of  the  bless- 
ings of  total  abstinence,  that  I  would  not  depart 


SERENE    AGE.  223 

from  it  iu  Ihe  smallest  instance  for  all  the  wealth 

in  the  world.  I  would  sooner  die.  I  do  not  make 
these  resolutions  in  my  own  strength,  but  in  the 
strength  of  that  merciful  God  who  has  delivered  my 
soul  from  death,  mine  eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feet 
from  falling;  therefore  with  humble  gratitude  I 
would  say,  Not  unto  me,  O  Lord,  not  unto  me,  but 
to  thy  name  be  all  the  praise.  I  think  temperance, 
accompanied  by  the  grace  of  God,  is  the  greatest 
blessing  in  the  world." 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting,  I  entreated 
the  people  not  to  depend  entirely  on  the  pledge, 
but  to  get  the  love  of  Christ  in  their  hearts,  as  the 
best  security  against  the  temptations  to  indulge  in 
strong  drink. 

Dec.  9.  Dear  Newman's  new  volume  of  hymns, 
with  a  dedication  to  his  dear  mother.  "What  mercy 
to  have  been  spared  to  our  dear  children,  to  witness 
their  respectful  and  tender  affection  on  every  occa- 
sion.    Praised  be  the  Lord. 

"Mother,  to  thee,  of  right,  this  Look  belongs  ; 

For,  seated  on  thy  knee,  an  infant  weak, 

With  lisping  tongne,  I  learnt  from  thee  to  speak 
'  In  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs. ' 

Oft  didst  thou  stroke  my  head  and  kiss  my  cheek, 
And  weep  for  joy  to  hear  thy  child  repeat 

How  the  good  Shepherd  came  from  heaven  to  seek 
His  wandering  lambs,  and  how  his  hands  and  feet 

"Were  pierced  with  nails  ;  while  he,  the  sufferer  roeeft, 
Prayed  for  his  foes,  then  mounted  to  his  throne. 
With  themes  like  these  my  years  have  still  upgrowr, 

Through  thy  persuasive  teaching,  tender  care, 

Thine  and  a  loving  father's  life  of  prayer. 
The  book  I  offer  thee  is  thus  thine  own." 


iJiJ4  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

Dec.  21.  Prayer-meeting  at  Surrey  chapel.  Was 
requested  to  offer  the  first  prayer,  previous  to  which 
I  gave  the  congregation  a  solemn  admonition.  22. 
Tea-meeting  of  members.  Newman  called  on  me  to 
speak  first.  I  felt  all  on  fire  to  open  my  mouth  to 
tell  of  the  mercy  of  the  Lord.   Blessed  be  his  name. 

Christmas  day.  Family  Christmas  meeting,  sev- 
enteen in  all.  After  dinner  sang,  "  Praise  God." 
Arthur  entertained  us  with  microscope  and  magic- 
lantern.  We  had  abundant  cause  to  be  thankful 
for  this  happy  meeting. 

Jan.  23,  1858.  Walked  from  Camden  Town  to 
St.  John's  Wood,  then  walked  in  Kegent's  Park, 
and  from  thence  walked  all  the  way  to  Heath  Cot- 
tage— a  great  feat.  24.  This  day,  seventy-two  years 
ago,  I  first  entered  the  old  house,  Maidstone,  as  a 
little  errand-boy. 

Feb.  8.  Prayer-meeting  this  evening  at  Surrey 
chapel.  Offered  the  first  prayer ;  not  in  a  spiritual 
frame.  After  prayer-meeting  went  with  Newman 
to  Exeter  Hall  to  hear  Mr.  Gough. 

Feb.  22.  Prayer-meeting.  A  temperance-meet- 
ing afterwards  in  Surrey  chapel.  I  took  the  chair. 
About  fifteen  hundred  persons  present.  Dear  Ar- 
thur made  a  most  impressive  speech,  detailing  his 
own  experience  and  the  way  in  which  ho  had  been 
brought  to  sign  the  pledge;  also  the  mercy  of  God 
in  having  rescued  him  from  infidelity,  and  brought 
him  to  seek  the  Lord  and  become  a  minister  for 
Christ.  Arthur  alluded  in  the  most  touching  man- 
ner to  his  dear  mother's  teaching  in  his  youth. 
Dear  Newman  also  confirmed  Arthur's  testimony 


SERENE    AGE.  225 

of  his  dear  mother's  teaching  and  example  of  a 
consistent  walk  as  a  Christian. 

March  14  My  birthday.  Completed  my  eighty- 
fourth  year.  How  great  has  been  the  mercy  of  God 
throughout  the  whole  of*  my  long  life !  But  my  heart 
aches  with  the  deepest  sorrow  that  I  have  so  deeply 
offended  against  so  good  a  God.  Have  mercy  upon 
me,  O  Lord. 

Maech  22.  Went  to  Surrey  chapel  prayer-meet- 
ing. Remained  afterwards  at  the  temperance-meet- 
ing. About  seventeen  hundred  present.  At  the 
close,  I  told  the  people  to  begin  their  temperance 
life  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  to  seek  to  have  Christ 
in  the  heart,  then  they  would  have  strength  to  resist 
temptation  to  evil. 

May  18.  Wedding  ring.  My  dear  Mary's  first 
wedding  ring  being  completely  worn  asunder,  I  pre- 
sented her  with  a  new  one  this  day,  which  I  placed 
on  her  finger  with  a  heartfelt  kiss  of  love  and  grat- 
itude to  Almighty  God  for  his  great  mercy  in  hav- 
ing continued  us  to  each  other  so  many  years  as 
husband  and  wife,  with  love  to  each  other  more 
than  ever.  Married  fifty-one  years,  eight  months, 
and  three  weeks. 

June  17.  Praised  be  the  Lord,  I  have  him  for 
my  defence — Christ  the  occupant  of  my  heart.  Rev. 
Dr.  Legge,  from  China,  called  this  afternoon  and 
cheered  our  hearts  respecting  our  son  Stephen. 

Jura  19.   I  feel  it  quite  time  to  be  prepared  to 

meet  my  God;  but  Oh  the  meeting — a  holy  God 

and  an  unholy  rebellious  sinner.     Nothing  but  the 

sacrifice  of  Christ  can  possibly  deliver  me  from  the 

10* 


226  JOIIN   VINE   HALL. 

lowest  hell.  I  look  to  Christ  at  once  for  deliver- 
ance and  salvation.  My  eyes,  my  heart,  my  soul 
are  np  to  thee,  O  Jesus,  my  rock  and  my  defence, 
my  everlasting  hope. 

Aug.  9.  The  Lord's  prayer.    Mr.  T referred 

to  the  simplicity  of  its  language,  yet  the  weight  of 
its  meaning.  It  breathed  a  filial  spirit,  "Father;" 
a  catholic  spirit,  "Our;"  a  reverential  spirit,  "Hal- 
lowed;" a  missionary  spirit,  "  Thy  kingdom  come;" 
an  obedient  spirit,  "  Thy  will  be  done ;"  a  depend- 
ent spirit,  "  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread ;"  a 
forgiving  spirit,  "  As  we  forgive,"  etc. ;  an  adoring 
spirit,  "  Thine  is  the  kingdom,"  etc. 

Oct.  10.  My  dear  Mary's  birthday.  What  infi- 
nite mercy  the  Lord  has  bestowed  upon  us  during 
the  last  fifty  years,  through  many  a  cloudy  day, 
crowning  us  with  loving-kindness  and  tender  mercy. 
Blessed  be  his  name.  In  the  afternoon  dear  Mary 
and  self  united  in  prayer  and  thanksgiving,  each 
offering  praises  and  prayer  to  our  gracious  God. 

Oct.  13.  This  afternoon  dear  Mary  and  self  set 
out  to  visit  Edward  at  Oxford.  Found  Edward 
waiting  for  us  at  the  station.  Dear  Mary  and  self 
knelt  before  the  Lord  with  thankfulness  for  safety 
in  our  journey.  14.  Inspected  the  University  Press ; 
a  wonderful  stock  of  Bibles.  Gave  a  "  Sinner's 
Friend  "  to  the  foreman,  who  had  been  there  forty 
years. 

Nov.  14.  Enjoyed  a  private  prayer-meeting;  self 
and  dear  Mary  both  engaged  in  prayer.  Heartily 
thanked  the  Lord  for  the  blessing  of  a  praying  wife. 
I  pray  the  fifty-first  psalm  every  morning,  beseech- 


SERENE   AGE.  227 

ing  the  Lord  to  give  me  a  lmrnble  contrite  spirit, 
soul-sorrow  for  sin,  with  humble  yet  implicit  confi- 
dence in  that  precious  blood  which  cleanseth  from 
all  sin.  I  believe  that  I  do  indeed  love  the  Lord 
most  sincerely,  with  the  most  earnest  desire  to  live 
to  his  praise  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  that  every 
power  within  me  may  be  devoted  to  his  blessed 
service. 

Nov.  19.  Anniversary.  God  be  praised  for  hia 
great  mercy  in  giving  me  grace,  on  the  19th  of  No- 
vember, 1818,  to  give  up  entirely  the  use  of  strong 
drink  of  any  description  whatever.  During  the 
whole  of  the  forty  years  which  have  now  passed 
away  I  have  never  had  the  slightest  temptation  to 
take  either  wine  or  spirituous  liquor  or  malt  liquor 
of  any  description  whatever,  but  on  the  contrary 
have  shuddered  even  at  the  smell  of  strong  drink 
of  any  kind.  Marvellous  mercy !  Praised  be  the 
Lord.  The  Lord  has  also  mercifully  sustained  me 
during  forty  years  as  his  servant,  Jesus  Christ  ever 
in  nry  heart,  my  only  hope  of  salvation.  The  Lord 
has  preserved  me  from  bringing  any  disrepute  upon 
his  holy  name,  and  has  given  me  many  opportuni- 
ties of  exhorting  sinners  to  seek  his  face.  Blessed 
be  his  dear  name,  dear  to  my  heart, 

Nov.  27.  I  not  only  with  grief  confess  to  the 
Lord  that  I  have  sinned  deeply,  but  I  enumerate 
my  dreadful  sins,  praying  the  Lord  to  give  me  soul- 
felt  repentance  and  implicit  confidence  in  his  dear 
Son. 

Dec.  30.  This  evening  attended  the  watch-night 
at  Surrey  chapel.     Upwards  of  two  thousand  pres- 


228  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

ent.  Home  at  1.15.  The  Lord  lias  mercifully 
brought  us  through  another  year  with  much  com- 
fort, bestowing  upon  us  grace  to  feel  our  sinfulness 
and  his  mercy.  Before  quitting  Heath  Cottage  for 
Surrey  chapel,  dear  Mary  finished  reading  the 
psalms,  last  chapters  of  Malachi  and  Kevelation. 
Afterwards  we  knelt  and  prayed,  each  of  us,  with 
gratitude  and  praise.  Our  mercies  and  blessings 
unspeakably  great.  Thank  the  Lord  for  such  a 
dear  wife. 

New-yeah's  day,  1859.  Praised  be  the  Lord  for 
health  to  commence  the  new  year  under  the  shadow 
of  the  Almighty,  Jesus  Christ  the  million  times  wel- 
come occupant  of  each  of  our  hearts. 

March  7.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  "The  Sinner's 
Friend"  has  been  the  instrument  of  leading  a  man 
eighty  years  of  age  to  the  Saviour.  This  is  record- 
ed in  the  "Keligious  Tract  Society's  Kcporter"  for 
the  present  month.  The  poor  sinner  was  once  a 
wealthy  solicitor,  an  infidel,  reduced  to  poverty  by 
intemperance.  Had  led  a  godless  life  till  then. 
Why  was  it  not  my  own  case  ?  It  would  have  been 
so  but  for  the  grace  of  God. 

Makch  14.  This  day  I  enter  my  eighty-sixth 
year  in  perfect  bodily  health,  through  the  abound- 
ing mercy  of  God,  to  whom  my  soul  pants  with 
gratitude  and  praise.  Six  children  and  a  grand- 
rliild  breakfasted  with  us. 

April  28.  I  want,  I  sigh,  I  pra.)  for  my  heart  to 
be  free  from  sin.  Praised  be  the  Lord,  my  bodily 
health  is  perfectly  good.  "Oh  for  a  closer  walk 
with  God." 


SERENE    AGE.  229 

Juke  11.  I  called  on  Rev.  Henry  Townley. 
Affectionately  received.  Mr.  Townley  Lad  been 
very  unwell.  Gave  a  workman  "Sinner's  Friend" 
and  "Come  to  Jesus."  Praised  be  the  Lord,  I  have 
now  circulated  gratuitously  upwards  of  sixty  thou- 
sand copies  of  "Tho  Sinner's  Friend"  in  various 
parts  of  the  world. 

Juke  21.  My  heart  mourns  on  account  of  sin, 
but  the  blood  of  Jesus  eleanseth  all.  Once  I  was 
the  most  miserable  wretch  upon  earth,  but  I  have 
been  restored  by  the  grace  of  God.  Once  a  dirty, 
wicked  boy,  cursing,  swearing,  mingling  with  the 
lowest  scum  of  society,  no  friend  to  counsel  or  help 
me,  and  yet  raised  up  by  especial  grace  to  bo  a  dea- 
con in  the  house  of  God  and  author  of  "The  Sin- 
ner's Friend."  God  be  praised  for  ever  and  ever 
Amen. 

June  27.  I  conducted  the  prayer-meeting  and 
spoke  warmly,  then  attended  the  temperance  meet- 
ing and  gave  the  first  speech. 

July  1.  Arthur's  departure  for  Luddenden  Foot 
to  preach  the  gospel  of  our  blessed  Lord.  O  may 
the  Lord  be  ever  with  him,  and  make  him  faithful 
and  useful.  17.  Dear  Mary  and  self  had  a  private 
prayer-meeting  for  Arthur  and  Newman.  Aug.  14. 
Prevented  enjoyment  of  the  sanctuary,  but  the  Lord 
was  with  us  in  our  cottage,  and  we  united  in  praise 
and  prayer,  alternately  pouring  out  our  hearts  be 
fore  him. 

Aug.  2G.  Excursion  to  Luddenden  Foot.  At 
Wakefield  Arthur  was  waiting  for  us.  Arrived  at 
Luddenden,   we   all   knelt    before   the   Lord   with 


230  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

thankfulness.  Wo  attended  Arthur's  new  church; 
the  first  time  we  had  ever  heard  him  preach.  A 
most  searching  sermon.  What  abundant  cause  for 
us  to  bless  the  Lord  for  having  so  evidently  called 
Arthur  to  the  ministry.  Sept.  6.  Dear  Newman 
walked  from  Halifax.  My  beloved  Mary,  Newman, 
mid  self  each  engaged  in  prayer  for  dear  Arthur. 
Mis  ordination  took  place  this  evening.  He  gave 
a  most  exciting  statement  of  the  way  in  which  the 
Lord  had  led  him  to  the  ministry.  Newman  gave 
the  charge  in  a  most  impressive  manner.  My  dear 
Mary  and  self  had  abundant  reason  to  bless  the 
Lord  for  the  public  testimony  of  Newman  and 
Arthur  to  the  consistency  of  their  father  and  moth- 
er as  professed  followers  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  7.  I 
am  so  overwhelmed  with  gratitude  for  the  mercy  of 
God,  that  I  am  ready  to  burst  forth  with  songs  of 
joy  for  his  great  benefits — a  dear  wife  to  cheer  my 
declining  years  with  her  precious  love,  also  for 
affectionate  children.  God  be  praised  for  so  many 
choice  and  precious  gifts. 

Sept.  11.  Sabbath.  A  most  exciting  day.  New- 
man and  Arthur  conducted  the  service  this  morn- 
ing. Iii  the  afternoon  Newman  preached  again. 
Two  or  three  hundred  people  following  Arthur  from 
open-air  preaching  to  the  church,  singing  the  praises 
of  God.  Newman  preached  again  in  the  evening. 
Hundreds  could  not  gain  admittance.  Arthur  took 
them  into  the  school-room  and  preached  to  them 
there.  To  witness  both  our  sons  engaged  in  the 
eervico  of  tho  sanctuary  was  most  exciting  to  us. 
Praised  be  the  Lord.    22.  Mercy  upon  mercy.    This 


SERENE   AGE.  231 

day  forty-three  years  ago  I  discontinued  the  use  of 
wine  and  spirituous  liquors.  Not  a  drop  of  either 
has  ever  passed  the  surface  of  my  tongue  during 
the  whole  of  those  years.     All  praise  to  the  Lord. 

Oct.  10.  My  dear  Mary's  birthday.  Praised  be 
God  for  his  great  mercy  in  having  spared  her  to  me 
during  so  man}'  years,  and  that  we  love  each  other 
more  than  ever,  the  Lord  Jesus  the  welcome  occu- 
pant of  each  of  our  hearts.  11.  Knelt  together  in 
thanksgiving  to  our  gracious  God  for  his  merc}r 
during  seven  weeks  and  five  days  that  we  had  been 
with  dear  Arthur.  Found  Edward,  Newman,  and 
Warren  waiting  to  welcome  us  home.  Knelt  before 
the  Lord  with  thankfulness. 

Oct.  31.  Arthur's  birthday.  Praised  be  tho 
Lord  that  he  is  now  an  ordained  minister  of  Christ. 
Nov.  3.  Walked  to  and  from  Highgate  hill,  Andrew 
Marvell's   cottage,  and   dined  with   Newman  and 

C .     Attended  Surrey  chapel  in  the  evening. 

25.  Body  perfectly  wTell,  but  my  sin  is  ever  before 
me.  I  pray  God  daily,  hourly,  to  give  me  sincere 
repentance  and  humble  confidence  in  that  precious 
blood  which  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 

Nov.  26.  Disappointment.  Eight  times  I  have 
gono  round  by  the  railway  arch  to  see  the  poor 
blind  man,  a  Christian,  to  give  him  copies  of  "Come 
to  Jesus"  and  "The  Sinner's  Friend,"  and  some- 
times a  shilling  for  Christ's  sake.  This  morning  I 
went  again  on  purpose;  he  was  not  there*  I  have 
often  conversed  with  this  poor  man  about  the  love 
of  Christ.  He  reads  the  Scriptures  by  means  of 
raised  letters  for  the'  blind.    I  have  given  him  many 


232  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

copies  of  "Come  to  Jesus"  and  "Sinner's  Friend" 
for  sale  for  his  own  benefit,  intimating  to  hiin  that 
I  did  so  for  the  love  of  Christ.     Mr.  Freeman,  Mrs. 

F ,  and  J called  on  me.    We  passed  an  hour 

in  spiritual  converse.  Mr.  Freeman  engaged  in 
prayer.  It  was  a  delicious  meeting.  28.  Went  to 
the  railway  arch  to  see  the  poor  blind  man.  He  was 
not  there — the  ninth  time  I  have  sought  him.  Gave 
"Come  to  Jesus"  and  "Sinner's  Friend"  to  various 
persons  on  the  pavement. 

Dec.  8.  Dear  Mary  and  self  attended  a  prayer- 
meeting  at  the  Sunday  School  Union.  14.  Prayer- 
meeting  at  Crosby  Hall.  30.  Crosby  Hall.  A  full 
attendance.  Ten  persons  prayed.  31.  This  even- 
ing dear  Mary  and  self  kept  New-year's  eve  at 
home.'  We  prayed  alternately,  and  at  two  minutes 
before  midnight  we  knelt  in  silent  prayer  while  1859 
was  making  place  for  1860.  We  of  all  people  had 
most  abundant  reason  to  praise  the  Lord  for  innu- 
merable mercies  heaped  upon  us  during  the  past 
year:  Arthur  become  a  minister  f^r  Christ;  New- 
man continued  useful  in  the  Lord;  yet  I  have  a 
constant  heartache  on  account  of  sin.  I  have  also 
a  foreboding  of  some  evil.  This  is  very  weak  and 
foolish,  if  not  sinfid,  doubting  the  mercy  of  that 
gracious  God  who  has  never  left  us  even  under  the 
most  trying  circumstances.     Oh  for  more  faith  ! 

Jan.  1, 18G0.  Dear  Mary  and  self  united  with  the 
disciplefifrof  the  Lord  this  day  in  commemorate 
Ilia  <lying  love.     It  was  a  blessed  time.     Newman's 
text,  "Redeemed  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ." 
12.  Dear  Mary  and  self,  with  Newman,  attended  a 


SERENE   AGE.  233 

communion  service  at  eleven  o'clock  at  Poultry 
chapel;  very  many  ministers  present.  Afterwards 
we  attended  a  prayer-meeting  in  Exeter  Hall.  Af- 
terwards Ave  took  tea  with  the  old  women  at  Row- 
land Hill's  almshouses.  Afterwards  attended  ser 
vice  at  Surrey  chapel.     A  superb  day. 

Feb.  7.  A  blessed  spiritual  day.  Dear  Mary  and 
self  attended  prayer-meetings  at  Crosby  Hall  and 
Exeter  Hall.  Lord  Shaftesbury  presided.  After- 
wards enjoyed  a  most  delightful  interview  with  Lord 
Roden.  A  day  to  be  remembered  with  gratitude. 
9.  Crosby  Hall  prayer-meeting.  I  offered  fifth 
prayer.  In  the  evening  we  attended  Surrey  chapel. 
Then  dear  Newman  persuaded  us  to  go  to  Exeter 
Hall  to  hear  Gough  conclude  a  lecture  on  temper- 
ance.    A  great  treat  of  good  things. 

March  1.  This  day,  1816,  Dr.  Day  was  consult- 
ed on  my  propensity  for  strong  drink,  against  which 
he  gave  a  prescription,  which  I  took  daily  until  the 
end  of  September  following,  from  which  time  to  the 
present  hour,  forty-three  years,  I  have  never  taken 
even  so  much  as  a  single  drop  of  wine  or  spirituous 
liquor  of  any  kind.     Praised  be  the  Lord. 

March  13.  The  Lord  is  very  merciful  and  gra- 
cious towards  me  in  preservation  so  many  years. 
This  evening,  1811,  I  was  delivered  from  the  lowest 
hell.  I  was  lying  in  intoxication  at  the  edge  of  a 
canal,  on  a  dark  night,  near  Brierly  hill.  A  stone 
lay  in  the  way,  by  the  mercy  of  God,  to  prevent  my 
rolling  into  the  canal.  One  turn  more  and  I  should 
have  been  lost  for  ever.  "Bless  the  Lord,  O  my 
soul,  who  hath  redeemed  my  life  from  destruction, 


234  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

and  crowned  mc  with  lcving-kindnesa  and  tender 
mercy."  Oh  may  I  never  forget  his  benefits.  14. 
My  birthday;  enter  my  eighty-seventh  year  this 
day.     Praise  the  Lord. 

April  6.  To  his  son  Arthur.  "  When  you  see  a 
poor  vile  sinner  evincing  the  smallest  desire  to  re- 
turn fi-oni  the  error  of  his  way,  half  afraid  to  trust 
in  the  promises,  let  the  case  of  your  once  lost  father 
lead  you  to  give  him  encouragement  to  trust  in  that 
gracious  God  who  is  not  willing  that  any,  even  the 
vilest,  should  perish ;  for  there  is  no  one  too  bad  f<  >r 
Christ,  whose  precious  blood  is  sufficient  for  all. 
You  will  forgive  my  preaching  to  you,  dear  Arthur, 
an  ordained  minister,  and  believe  me  ever,"  etc. 

April  20.  Sent  a  parcel  of  "Sinner's  Friend"  to 
Miss  Marsh,  Beckenham ;  also  to  St.  Pancras  work- 
house. Sent  them  with  prayer.  Vine  was  this  day 
appointed  to  command  the  Great  Eastern  on  ac- 
count of  his  skill  as  a  sailor.    He  had  no  patronage. 

May  1.  This  day  our  son  "Warren  was  married 
by  his  brother  Newman.  After  breakfast,  prayer 
was  offered  by  Rev.  Francis  Tucker.  It  was  a 
deeply  interesting  service,  and  we  had  abundant 
reason  to  bless  the  Lord.  2.  Newman  accompanied 
us  to  a  public  meeting  of  Field-lane  Ragged  School. 
Lord  Shaftesbury  in  the  chair.  The  Bishop  of  Ri- 
pon  made  the  first  speech,  succeeded  by  our  New- 
man. G.  A  glorious  Sabbath,  to  be  remembered 
with  praise.  Dear  Mary  and  self,  after  the  morn- 
ing service  and  sacrament,  remained  in  the  vestry 
with  dear  Newman,  and  dined  off  sandwiches  and 
tea.     In  the  afternoon  we  accompanied  him  to  St. 


SERENE   AGE.  235 

James'  Hall,  where  lie  preached  to  a  very  large 
congregation.  Afterwards  we  returned  to  Surrey 
chapel,  and  attended  evening  service,  which  was 
overcrowded.  Our  hearts  were  full  of  gratitude  to 
the  Lord  for  giving  us  so  much  enjoyment. 

May  8.  To  meeting  of  Band  of  Hope.  Exeter 
Hall  crammed  to  suffocation. 

May  13.  At  Surrej'  chapel.  Mr.  Brownlow  North 
gave  a  most  energetic  address.  15.  Warren  with 
his  bride  returned  to  his  new  dwelling,  where  we 
were  waiting  to  receive  them.  After  tea,  prayer 
was  offered  that  the  Lord  would  bless  thorn  and 
dwell  ever  in  their  hearts. 

May  22.  Newman's  birthday.  Most  lovely  morn- 
ing.  Nightingales  singing  while  I  lay  in  bed.  We 
all  went  to  Leith  hill  in  an  open  van.  A  fall.  Lad- 
der gave  way  with  myself,  by  which  I  was  thrown 
to  the  ground,  with  a  severe  bruise  on  m}-  right  leg. 
Mercy  that  no  bones  were  broken  nor  hurt  on  my 
back,  but  pain  very  severe.     Praise  the  Lord. 

May  23.  Arose  with  great  difficulty,  assisted  by 
my  dear  Mary.  Leg  painful,  but  better.  Resolved 
to  go  home  this  day.  24.  Dear  Mary  so  kind.  26. 
Shaved  myself.  Praise  the  Lord  that,  except  the 
bruise,  which  is  black  all  round,  my  bodily  health 
is  good.  Oh  that  my  soul  were  in  an  equally  com- 
fortable state.  I  mourn  on  account  of  sin,  but  I 
pray  the  Lord  almost  hourly  to  forgive  my  sins,  and 
give  me  more  faith  in  the  blood  shed  on  Calvarv. 
27.  Swelling  very  bad;  must  have  patience  two  or 
three  weeks.  30.  Dr.  Carlill  encouraged  me  about 
my  leg,  but  says  it  will  take  many  weeks  for  recov- 


23G  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

ery.  31.  Three  doctors,  Dr.  Carlill,  Dr.  Hillier,  Mr. 
Quain ;  favorable  opinion,  but  patience. 

June  1.  N ,  C ,  M ,  and  H gone 

to  dine  with  their  brother  Yine  on  board  the  Great 

Eastern.     3.  Sabbath.     Newman  called  with  C 

on  the  way  to  Surrey  chapel,  and  prayed.  After 
they  had  gone,  Mary  and  self  prayed  alternately 
for  Newman  and  Arthur  as  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
The  large  print  Testament  and  Psalms  presented  to 
me,  very  useful  at  the  present  time ;  my  daily  com- 
panions. My  beloved  wife  so  tender  and  kind 
Praise  God  for  such  a  wife.  4.  Newman  called 
Yesterday  he  asked  the  communicants  at  the  Lord's 
supper  to  pray  for  me.  5.  The  patience  and  kind- 
ness of  my  dear  Mary.  Praise  the  Lord  for  so  dear 
a  wife.  6.  Need  of  more  patience.  Lord,  be  pleas- 
ed to  grant  it.  8.  On  my  bed.  New  Testament 
and  Psalms  great  comfort;  they  cheer  my  heart. 
Dr.  Hillier  thinks  the  swelling  smaller.  "Walked 
round  the  bed;  praise  the  Lord.  Newman  called; 
brought  strawberries;  prayed.  9.  My  soul  looking 
to  the  Lord.  My  dear  Mary  so  kind;  my  comfort 
and  joy.  Walked  round  the  bed,  going  and  return-, 
ing  from  the  sofa,  praising  God.     Sent  twenty-five 

"Sinner's  Friend"  to  E .     10.  Sabbath.     Dear 

Mary  read  the  Scriptures ;  we  repeated  hymns  and 
prayed  together.  Praise  the  Lord.  11.  Swelling 
not  reduced.  Doctor  recommends  opening.  13. 
In  doubt  respecting  operation;  I  fear  pain.  I  am 
perfectly  well  in  health.     Praise  the  Lord. 

June  14    Operation.     Vast  quantity  of  black 
blood  poured  out.    16.  Leg  better.    My  dear  Mary 


SERENE    AGE  237 

so  untiring;  in  good  health,  praised  be  the  Lord. 
18.  Dear  Henry  Townley  called;  prayed  with  us; 
wept  with  tenderness;  kissed  hands.  Arthur  came. 
20.  Leg  no  better;  want  more  humility  and  patience. 
Arthur  is  a  great  comfort.  23.  Praise  the  Lord,  I 
am  a  little  better.  Twenty-five  thousand  volunteers 
reviewed  in  Hyde  park.  Newman  called  and  pray- 
ed.   2-1.  E came  to  see  us,  and  repeated  hymns 

with  us. 

Monday,  June  25.  My  beloved  Mary  so  active, 
so  kind ;  full  of  health,  praise  the  Lord. 

The  entry  of  June  25th  is  the  last. 

For  some  time  he  progressed  favorably,  his  gen- 
eral health  being  unimpaired.  A  slight  operation 
was  followed  by  erysipelas,  and  this,  combined  with 
an  attack  of  congestion  of  the  lungs,  threatened  to 
terminate  his  life  within  a  few  hours.  The  doctors 
recommended  wine.  My  mother  at  once  said  the 
proposal  was  useless.  Then  it  was  suggested  that 
beer  might  be  less  objectionable.  My  father,  who 
had  been  lying  in  a  state  of  great  weakness,  ap- 
parently unaware  of  what  was  said,  emphatically 
groaned  out,  Never,  never!  Though  wine  was 
thought  essential,  and  only  twenty-four  hours  were 
given  as  the  limit  of  life,  to  the  astonishment  of  all, 
he  rallied  so  as  to  leave  his  bed  and  go  out  in  a 
Bath-chair. 

It  was  my  great  privilege  to  be  with  him  very 
much  during  his  illness.  I  was  reminded  of  the 
similar  honor  and  happiness  I  enjoyed  in  the  caso 
of  my  dear  friend  and  father-in-law,  Dr.  Gordon. 
He,  during  eleven  years  "grown  familiar  with  tho 


238  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

skies,"  was  now  waiting  to  welcome  the  aged  pil- 
grim who  had  so  often  prayed  for  him  and  affec- 
tionately spoken  to  him  of  the  Friend  of  sinners. 
For  a  short  time  the  enemy  strove  to  darken  my 
father's  mind  with  doubts  as  to  whether  he  had 
ever  been  truly  a  child  of  God.  I  told  him  I  could 
not  remember  the  time  when  he  was  not  habitually 
walking  with  God.  "Ah,  but  at  a  great  distance." 
Then  after  a  pause,  "But  he  has  plucked  my  feet 
out  of  the  net,  and  established  my  goings."  ""What 
would  be  your  answer  if  Christ  were  now  to  say, 
Lovest  thou  me  ?"  He  replied  fervently,  "  Lord, 
thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee."  I  read  the  follow- 
ing words  of  Rowland  Hill  on  his  death-bed :  "  Mod- 
est words  before  God  become  us  best.  Strong  ex- 
pressions of  personal  interest  may  do  for  some,  but 
not  for  all.  I  can  see  more  of  the  Saviour's  glory 
than  of  my  interest  in  him.  God  is  letting  me  down 
gently  into  the  grave,  and  I  shall  creep  into  heaven 
through  some  crevice  of  the  door.  I  havo  no  rap- 
turous joys,  but  peace,  a  good  hope  through  grace — 
all  through  grace."  Ho  replied,  "Yes,  I've  peace, 
I  hope." 

He  said  on  different  occasions,  "If  this  should 
carry  me  off,  I  've  nothing  to  fear,  nothing  to  ask 
for.  This  is  not  the  experience  of  an  hour,  or  a 
day,  or  a  month,  but  of  forty  years.  I've  been 
travelling  to  that  home  many  years.  To  think  oi 
laying  down  this  shabby  tabernacle  and  having  one 
all  of  white!  Nothing  to  soil  it;  without  spot  or 
wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing.  No,  nothing  shall  sep- 
arate from  tho  love  of  Christ."     I  said,  "What  a 


SERENE   AGE.  239 

difference  between  what  we  were  and  what  we  shall 
be."  Ho  responded,  "Yes,  and  what  we  arc!" 
"All  things  are  overruled;  this  accident  to  bring 
me  nearer  to  Christ,  and  it  may  bo  to  bring  mo 
home."  "You'll  kiss  this  hand  when  I  sha'n't  feel 
it."  "  But  we  shall  meet  again.  Yes,  we  're  on  the 
same  road.  Glory,  glory,  glory!  I've  no  raptur- 
ous joy,  but  I've  a  humble  dependence  on  tho 
Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

Reminding  him  of  our  motto  for  the  year,  "  lie- 
deemed  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,"  he  said, 
"  I  have  prayed  every  day  for  many  years  that  he 
would  come  and  take  possession  of  the  heart  he 
purchased  with  his  blood."  I  referred  to  his  hav- 
ing been  always  ready  to  speak  of  Christ.  "Be- 
cause the  subject  was  always  nearest  my  heart."  It 
was  said  that  many  who  had  been  led  to  heaven  by 
"The  Sinner's  Friend"  were  waiting  to  give  him  a 
triumphal  entry.  "Oh,  if  I  can  but  crawl  in  on 
my  hands  and  knees,  I  shall  be  very  well  satisfied. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me  a  sinner;  this  is  my 
prayer  every  day,  and  many  times  a  day.  I  so 
grieve  that  I  have  so  little  grief  for  my  sins.  I  've 
been  a  great  sinner,  and  I  need  a  great  Saviour." 
On  Sunday  morning  he  said  to  mo,  "Preach  about 
Christ  and  his  salvation ;  I  've  proved  it.  It 's  not 
less  valuable  after  forty  years.  Better  than  ever; 
I  've  proved  it." 

His  thankfulness  of  spirit  was  continually  exhib- 
ited. He  regretted  giving  what  ho  called  so  much 
trouble  to  those  who  felt  it  the  greatest  privilege 
to  minister  to  him.     One  day,  whilo  being  fed,  he 


240  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

lifted  up  his  hand.  When  asked  if  it  was  a  sign 
that  he  declined  any  more,  he  answered,  "To  praise 
God."  I  read  a  letter  to  him  from  a  lady,  who  spoke 
of  the  usefulness  of  the  Portuguese  edition  of  "  The 
Sinner's  Friend."  He  lifted  up  his  hands  solemnly, 
saying,  "  Praise  the  Lord  !  praise  the  Lord !  praise 
the  Lord !"  Hearing  of  some  instances  of  useful 
ness,  he  said,  "Praise  the  Lord;  he  makes  me  to 
bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age.  How  wonderful  that  I 
should  make  known  Christ.  There  was  a  good 
woman  who  was  told  that  I  had  gone  to  pray  with 
a  sick  man.  'What,'  said  she,  'Mr.  Yine  Hall? 
Then  I  shall  never  despair  of  any  one.' " 

He  still  endeavored  to  be  useful  to  others. 
Within  a  very  few  days  of  his  death  he  gave  orders 
for  various  parcels  of  his  little  book  to  be  sent  for 
distribution  to  Christian  friends  whom  he  named. 
To  his  barber  he  said,  "You'll  not  have  to  shave 
me  much  oftener.  Here 's  a  little  book.  I  wrote  it 
years  ago.  It  has  been  blessed  to  thousands.  I 
hope  it  will  be  blessed  to  you.  Follow  its  direc- 
tions. Seek  Christ  with  your  whole  heart.  I  hope 
to  meet  you  in  heaven."  He  sent  affectionate  mes- 
sages to  absent  members  of  the  family,  enjoining 
them  to  meet  him  above.  To  his  son  Yine  he  sent 
word :  "  Tell  him  that,  while  captain  of  the  Great 
Eastern,  he  must  not  forget  that  God  placed  him 
there.  He  must  have  Christ  for  Ms  Captain,  and 
then  he  can  smile  at  the  storm."  To  his  son  Ste- 
phen at  Hong  Kong,  who  had  been  abroad  upwards 
of  thirty  years,  and  had  often  expressed  his  inten- 
tion of  returning  to  England  to  see  his  parents  once 


SERENE    AGE.  241 

more,  "  Tell  liim  how  I  love  him — how  glad  I  should 
have  been  to  see  him;  but  he  must  meet  me  in 
heaven." 

Sept.  15.  He  was  evidently  much  weaker.  I 
said,  "You  are  not  so  well,  dear  father,  to-day." 
Ele  replied,  "I  wish  the  last  were  here."  "The 
promise  of  long  life  has  been  fulfilled."  "Yes,  long 
ago."  "  Your  only  plea  is  Jesus."  "  Nothing  else." 
On  Sunday  morning,  September  lGth,  I  asked  him 
if  he  had  any  message  for  the  congregation.  He 
replied,  "Give  my  Christian  love  to  them,  and  thank 
them  for  all  their  affection  towards  me."  After  this 
he  almost  entirely  lost  the  power  of  speech,  but  in 
the  afternoon  he  turned  his  eyes  towards  my  moth- 
er and  myself  as  we  were  standing  at  the  foot  of 
the  bed,  and  said,  "God  bless  you  both."  We  felt 
it  a  patriarchal  and  a  parting  benediction. 

On  Tuesday  morning  he  looked  affectionately 
towards  his  sorrowing  wife  and  several  times  utter- 
ed her  name  with  considerable  distinctness,  "Mary! 
Mary!  Mary!"  A  few  hours  after,  having  suffered 
much  from  difficulty  of  breathing,  he  again  made  a 
successful  effort  to  speak,  and  said  with  great  ear- 
nestness, "Jesus!  Jesus!  Jesus!"  It  was  very  touch- 
ing and  very  characteristic,  this  mention  of  the  two 
names  most  dear  to  him — expressive  of  his  earthly 
and  his  heavenly  love.  For  upwards  of  fifty  years 
his  heart  had  been  linked  with  that  of  his  wife  by 
ties  never  surpassed  in  strength  and  tenderness* 
For  upwards  of  forty  years  the  name  of  Jesus  had 
been  music  to  his  soul.  These  two  passions  absorb- 
ed his  whole  being.     He  enjoyed  all  pleasures,  per- 

,'obn  Vino  FU1I.  11 


242  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

formed  all  duties,  loved  all  relations  and  friends, 
in  connection  with  them.  He  had  no  aim,  no  affec- 
tion apart. 

On  Thursday  morning  he  endeavored  ir.  vain 
to  speak  to  us  so  that  we  could  understand  him. 
These  words  alone  were  distinguished:  "Passing 
away,  passing  away."  Then,  "Jesus!  Jesus!"  Then, 
"  Ho  is  !  ho  is !"  I  suggested,  "  He  is  here,  he  is 
precious."  Ho  nodded  assent,  and  we  caught  tho 
word  "  Pray."  We  knelt  round  his  Led  in  supplica- 
tion that  Jesus  would  speedily  release  his  dear  ser- 
vant, and  take  him  to  join  the  great  congregation  of 
the  saints  made  perfect.  He  earnestly  responded, 
"Amen!"  lifting  up  his  hands  as  if  eager  to  be  gone. 
Then  after  putting  his  arm  once  more  round  my 
mother's  neck,  he  gradually  sank  into  a  state  of 
stupor,  out  of  which,  on  Saturday  morning,  Septem- 
ber 22d,  at  twenty  minutes  past  five,  he  awoke  in 
the  immediate  presence  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend." 

What  welcomes  greeted  him:  from  many  dear 
friends  gone  before,  with  whoso  hearts  his  own  had 
beaten  in  warm  response  as  they  spoke  together  of 
Jesus;  from  hundreds,  perhaps  thousands  of  ran- 
somed souls  who  had  been  guided  to  heaven  by  his 
instrumentality;  from  the  angels  to  whom  he  had 
been  tho  means  of  giving  so  much  blissful  work  in 
their  "  rejoicing  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth ;" 
above  all,  from  Him  whoso  name  had  so  long  been 
music  to  his  ears,  the  thought  of  whom  had  so  long 
ravished  his  heart. 

He  had  told  my  mother  where  to  find  a  letter  for 
her  to  read  after  his  decease.     After  many  expres- 


SERENE   AGE.  243 

sions  of  the  most  fervent  love  to  herself,  the  letter 
closes  thus:  "Grieve  not,  dearest,  that  your  ever 
tenderly  loved  husband  is  taken  from  you,  only  to 
be  restored  in  the  Lord's  time;  but  rather  rejoice  that 
his  soul  is  relieved  from  its  tenement  of  clay,  to  be 
for  ever  with  the  Lord.  Yes,  for  ever  with  the  Lord 
I  hope  there  may  be  no  presumption  in  this  asser- 
tion, nothing  rash,  irreverent,  or  bold;  nothing  un- 
becoming a  poor  redeemed  sinner,  in  whose  heart 
the  Lord  Jesus  has  held  occupation  so  many  years, 
ever  a  million  million  times  welcome  Guest,  always 
the  delight  of  my  life,  ike  joy  of  my  soul. 

"  Our  blessed  and  merciful  God  will  never  leave 
you,  never  forsake  you.  We  have  proved  and  <  x- 
pcricnccd  his  faithfulness. 

"As  my  soul  has  long  mourned  over  my  sin  with 
deep  repentance,  my  God  has  forgiven  it  too,  but  I 
have  never  forgiven  myself,  nor  have  I  ever  ceased 
to  feel  the  deepest  sorrow.  But  God  be  praised, 
'  the  precious  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin ;' 
yes,  even  from  my  sins,  crimson  as  they  are.  And 
oh  what  special  mercy  that  I  have  long  been  deliv- 
ered from  all  fear  as  to  the  article  of  dcatii  or  tho 
act  of  dying.  Whether  my  body  expire  in  agony, 
or  in  peace  and  gentleness,  I  know  the  Lord  will 
give  me  dying  grace,  and  I  wish  to  know  no  other 
will  than  his.  I  love  him  too  warmly  to  distrust 
him  a  single  moment. 

"August  24,  1858." 


:!1  ^  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

CHAPTER    XT. 

FILIAL  REMINISCENCES  BY  THE   EDITOH. 

In  this  supplementary  chapter  I  propose  to  lay 
oefore  the  reader  a  few  additional  facts  illustrative 
of  my  father's  history  and  character. 

John  Yine  Hall  was  born  at  Diss,  in  Norfolk, 
March  14,  1774,  just  before  the  Americans  drew 
the  sword  of  independence,  and  sixteen  years  before 
the  first  French  revolution.  His  father  had  accu- 
mulated considerable  property  in  business,  but  lost 
it  in  speculation;  so  that  "little  Jack,"  as  he  was 
called,  was  sent  at  eleven  years  of  age  to  earn  his 
own  bread,  as  related  on  page  11.  He  often  used  to 
speak  of  his  early  struggles  and  hard  toil  when  a 
mere  child. 

Those  who  knew  him  only  in  old  age  will  not  be 
surprised  to  learn  that,  as  a  young  man,  his  company 
was  much  valued.  He  was  innately  courteous,  both 
in  disposition  and  manners  a  "gentleman."  He  was 
a  good  musician.  At  fourscore  he  still  played  well 
on  the  flageolet,  and  drew  from  the  flute  a  peculiar- 
ly rich  tone;  while  the  fine  tenor  voice  ho  conse- 
crated to  "  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs," 
must  have  been  a  great  acquisition  in  the  convivial 
circles  of  his  earlier  years.  He  was  to  the  last  witty 
and  facetious,  had  a  store  of  capital  anecdotes,  and 
could  imitate  to  perfection  the  Scotch,  Irish,  and 
Welsh  diction. 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  2-45 

The  physical  manliness  and  courage  lie  manifest- 
ed in  youth  aided  him  -when  he  became  a  good  sol- 
dier of  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  always  ready  to  help 
the  weak  against  the  strong.  He  often  related  how, 
on  hearing  the  shrieks  of  a  woman  in  the  market- 
place at  Maidstone,  he  rushed  to  her  assistance,  and 
with  one  blow  of  his  fist  felled  to  the  ground  the 
ruffianly  husband  who  was  beating  her,  receiving 
for  his  reward  a  blow  from  the  woman's  patten, 
which  left  its  mark  on  his  forehead  till  the  day  of 
his  death.  He  said  that  afterwards,  whenever  he 
saw  a  man  and  woman  quarrelling,  he  moderated 
his  indignation  by  saying  to  himself,  "Remember 
the  patten."  He  once  pinioned  a  highwayman  sin- 
gle handed,  retaining  him  in  his  grasp  till  assist- 
ance came.  On  another  occasion,  returning  home 
on  horseback  with  a  large  sum  of  money,  he  saw  a 
man  apparently  drunk  rolling  about  a  lonely  part  of 
the  road.  Suspecting  a  trick,  he  pulled  up,  drew 
his  pistol  and  threatened  to  fire  if  the  man  did  not 
instantly  stand  aside.  The  click  of  the  trigger  put 
the  pretended  drunkard  to  flight.  On  reaching  home 
he  found  his  pistol  had  no  priming.  "When  the  first 
Napoleon  was  threatening  to  invade  this  country 
my  father  joined  the  Yeomanry  Cavalry,  and  at  a 
grand  review  before  George  III.  was  selected,  as  the 
best  swordsman  of  his  regiment,  to  go  through  the 
exercise  before  his  majesty.  It  fell  to  his  duty  as  n 
volunteer  to  form  one  of  the  escort  who  guarded  the 
conspirators  tried  at  Maidstone  for  complicity  in 
the  mutiny  at  the  Nore,  from  Maidstone  to  Sheer- 
ness.     A  celebrated  German  swordsman  was  at  that 


246  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

time  employed  by  government  at  the  Maidstone 
military  depot  to  instruct  the  soldiers,  and  gave  an 
exhibition  in  the  Town-hall  before  a  large  company 
of  the  aristocracy  and  military.  My  father  was 
urged  to  accept  his  challenge  with  naked  swords. 
Using  great  caution,  he  parried  all  the  cuts  and 
thrusts  of  his  adversary,  and  then  seizing  his  op- 
portunity, ripped  up  the  embroidered  sleeve  of  the 
German  froin  wrist  to  elbow  amid  the  plaudits  of 
the  assembly. 

As  a  man  of  business  he  was  eminent  for  dili- 
gence, punctuality,  and  caution.  He  made  himself 
master  of  every  department,  and  was  never  ash  Min- 
ed of  any  thing  which  was  necessary  or  expedient 
for  him  to  do.  Whatever  he  did,  however  trivial, 
he  did  thoroughly.  He  could  not  endure  slovenli- 
ness or  waste  in  little  things.  He  was  exact  in  the 
daily  balance  of  cash,  and  kept  a  watchful  eye  to  the 
stock  in  trade.  He  was  never  idle.  On  commenc- 
ing at  Worcester,  he  had  to  restore  the  character  of 
the  house.  There  was  little  genuine  business,  but 
as  it  would  be  ruin  to  be  idle  he  used  to  take  down 
reams  of  paper,  count  the  quires,  and  tie  them  up 
again ;  or  he  would  rule  paper  hour  after  hour.  One 
day  he  overheard  a  laborer  who  was  passing  ex- 
claim, "Hey,  but  that's  a  working  chap,  he's  always 
at  it."  "Go  on,  my  good  friend,"  said  my  father  to 
himself,  "  that's  right,  spread  it  over  the  city."  He 
frequently  used  to  mention  this  in  after-years  as  a 
lesson  to  young  men.  He  has  been  known  to  spend 
weeks  together  without  leaving  the  house  except  fo] 
a  place  of  worship,  diligently  engaged  from  morning 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  217 

to  night  in  carrying  on  an  extensive  and  complicat- 
ed business.  Years  would  elapse  without  his  hav- 
ing a  week's  holiday.  He  kept  up  this  assiduity 
until  he  had  worked  off  the  chief  portion  of  his 
heavy  pecuniary  obligations,  and  until  his  sons 
growing  up  rendered  such  close  application  less 
necessary. 

He  was  punctuality  itself.  At  seven  in  the  morn- 
ing he  was  regularly  seated  at  Scott's  Bible.  At 
eight,  to  a  minute,  he  rang  for  family  worship.  He 
never  kept  any  one  waiting  for  him  a  moment.  He 
wrote  with  his  watch  open  before  him  to  secure  ex- 
actness. "When  the  time  came,  he  would  quit  any 
occupation,  however  absorbing  and  pleasant,  to  keep 
the  appointment  of  the  hour.  Nothing  could  draw 
him  away  from  doing  the  right  thing  at  the  right 
time.  From  the  business  of  the  present  moment  he 
would  let  nothing  deter  him. 

His  punctuality  in  monetary  transactions  was  not 
less  remarkable.  No  traveller  called  twice  for  an 
account.  Conversing  once  with  a  banker  about  the 
interest  charged  on  overdrawn  accounts,  my  father 
remarked,  "You  never  charge  me  any."  "No,"  said 
the  banker,  "you  never  give  us  a  chance." 

He  used  to  relate  the  following  incident  as  a  cau- 
tion not  to  make  confidants  of  strangers.  Coming 
once  from  London  by  the  stage,  a  fellow-traveller 
became  exceedingly  communicative  to  the  passen- 
gers respecting  the  business  which  was  taking  him 
to  Maidstone.  His  object  was  to  establish  a  county 
newspaper  on  a  plan  which  would  not  fail  of  crush- 
ing all  competitors :  and  he  was  good  enough  to  ex- 


248  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

plain  in  detail  all  the  secrets  of  his  intended  diplo- 
macy, to  the  immense  amusement  of  my  father  and 
his  fellow-townsmen.  The  talkative  stranger  con- 
cluded by  asking  Mr.  Hall  the  names  of  the  princi- 
pal booksellers  in  the  town,  that  he  might  enlist 
them  in  his  cause.  Mr.  Hall  included  his  own  mime 
in  the  list.  The  next  morning  ho  observed  the 
would-be  newspaper  proprietor  approaching  his  shop 
accompanied  by  a  well-known  friend,  and  immedi- 
ately placed  himself  in  a  conspicuous  position  at  the 
door.  The  talkative  gentleman  suddenly  stopped, 
made  some  observation  to  his  companion,  turned  on 
his  heel,  and  nothing  more  was  heard  of  him  or  his 
project,  the  secrets  of  which  he  had  so  prematurely 
disclosed. 

The  following  were  favorite  business  maxims: 
"Civility  is  cheap,  and  goes  a  great  way."  "Mind 
your  business,  and  your  business  will  mind  you." 
"If  you  would  have  your  business  done,  go  ;  if  not, 
send."  "  Watch  your  stock  as  you  would  watch  a 
thief."  "Take  care  of  the  pence,  and  the  pounds 
will  take  care  of  themselves."  "There's  only  one 
way  to  do  business,  and  that  is  the  right  way."  "If 
a  thing  's  worth  doing  at  all,  it 's  worth  doing  well." 
"  Never  back  a  bill,  even  for  your  own  brother  or 
father,  unless  you  can  answer  two  questions :  "When 
due,  can  I  pay  it;  and  am  I  able  and  willing  to  lose 
it?     Beware  of  the  plea,  'It 's  only  a  form.'  " 

While  by  far  the  most  diligent  man  in  his  house, 
he  was  never  exacting  towards  others,  nor  indiffer- 
ent to  their  infirmities.  He  was  very  unlike  some 
employers,  who  seem  only  to  calculate  how  much 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  249 

profit  they  can  get  out  of  their  work-people,  careless 
of  the  welfare  of  those  who  have  helped  them  to 
prosperity.  "When  ho  took  the  business  at  Maid- 
stone, he  found  there  an  elderly  man  who  had  acted 
as  foreman  during  many  j-ears,  and  who  very  soon 
fell  ill.  Nevertheless  his  weekly  wages  were  paid 
him  till  he  died,  although  he  never  came  near  the 
printing-office;  the  amount  thus  given  to  the  old 
servant  of  a  predecessor  being  upwards  of  £100. 

As  a  deacon  of  the  church  he  was  as  exemplary 
as  in  other  relations.  He  ever  cherished  and  man- 
ifested towards  his  minister  sincere  respect  and 
affection.  As  "treasurer  he  received  and  disbursed 
the  pew-rents,  and  when  the  quarter  came  round, 
whatever  might  have  been  the  delay  in  supplying 
his  official  treasury,  there  was  never  a  day's  delay 
in  paying  the  ministerial  stipend.  He  always  sup- 
plied the  pastor  with  books  and  stationery,  receiv- 
ing no  payment  and  sending  in  no  account.  "What- 
ever the  claims  of  his  business,  he  was  always  pres- 
ent at  the  prayer-meeting  on  Monday,  and  the 
weekly  lecture  on  "Wednesday,  as  well  as  at  the  dea- 
cons' meetings  and  church-meetings.  Whoever  might 
be  absent,  his  pastor  might  always  rely  on  him.  His 
motto  was,  "God  first,  business  next,  pleasure  last." 

He  was  remarkably  generous  and  unselfish.  A 
striking  instance  of  this  was  his  transfer  to  the  ben- 
efit of  his  employer  of  the  offer  of  alderman  Chris- 
topher Smith  to  advance  him  money  when  required 
to  go  into  business.  The  alderman  was  surprised 
and  pleased,  advanced  the  £1,000,  and  renewed  hi& 
promise  to   my  father,  which  he  afterwards  nobly 

11* 


250  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

redeemed  by  lending  hiin  several  thousand  pounds 
on  his  personal  security.  It  was  no  difficulty  to  him 
to  do  good  to  others,  whether  by  speech  or  letter, 
to  instruct  or  console  them,  or  by  hand  and  purse 
to  relievo  their  sufferings.  He  coidd  not  deny  street- 
beggars  even,  though  he  might  suspect  the  truth  ol 
their  talc.  He  used  to  say  that,  even  if  an  impostor 
should  happen  to  get  the  money,  it  would  not  bo 
lost  if  given  in  the  name  of  Christ.  A  "converted" 
Jew  called  on  him  once  with  a  letter  of  introduction, 
and  begged  the  loan  of  a  few  pounds,  which  were 
promptly  lent  in  that  Name.  The  Jew  promised  re- 
payment, "  As  sure  as  I  am  a  Christian."  My  father 
used  to  tell  this  with  great  effect,  adding,  "  The  Jew 
kept  his  word,  he  did  not  pay."  He  often  scolded 
sturdy  mendicants,  but  the  scolding  was  an  invari- 
able antecedent  to  a  gift.  Accosted  once  by  an 
Irish  beggar,  he  said,  "Now  you  know,  Pat,  that  if 
I  give  you  something  you'll  spend  it  in  whiskey." 
"  No,  your  honor,"  replied  Pat,  "  I  've  not  had  any 
whiskey  this  three  months."  "  That 's  only  becauso 
you  have  had  no  money  to  buy  it,"  rejoined  my  fa- 
ther. "  That 's  true,  yer  honor,"  said  Pat,  laughing 
all  over.  An  extra  gift,  of  course,  was  the  reward 
of  this  reply,  which  my  father  often  delighted  to 
repeat.  When  he  gave  tracts  to  the  poor  he  wrap- 
ped up  pence  in  them,  and  after  his  death  his  coat- 
pockets  were  found  stored  with  this  ammunition  of 
love,  without  which  he  never  went  out  of  the  house. 
Not  only  would  he  give  generously  from  his  purse, 
but  his  heart  yearned  with  kind  sympathy  to  every 
one.     He  was  always  ready  to  hear  patiently  any 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  251 

tale  of  distress  or  anxiet}r.  I  have  heard  him  groan 
in  sympathy  with  one ;  I  have  seen  him  weep  with 
another;  and  I  have  seen  him  in  ecstacy  of  thank- 
fulness with  those  who  had  good  news  to  commu- 
nicate, responding  to  their  tale  with,  "Praise  the 
Lord."  Thus  literally  fulfilling  the  injunction  to 
"rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and  weep  with 
them  that  weep." 

He  had  a  most  tender  spirit.  Any  tale  of  suf- 
fering or  affliction  brought  tears  to  his  eyes.  There 
were  incidents  in  his  own  life  which  he  had  related 
hundreds  of  times,  but  to  which  he  could  not  refer 
without  choking  with  emotion  in  the  attempt.  This 
was  specially  so  when,  in  answer  to  our  earnest  re- 
quest, he  would  sometimes  tell  us  the  tale  of  Dunk's 
deliverance,  or  of  his  first  acquaintance  with  my 
mother.  My  earliest  remembrance  of  him  arises 
partly  from  this  feature  of  his  character.  My  mother 
was  from  home,  and  in  the  early  morning  I  clam- 
bered out  of  my  little  crib  into  his  bed  and  begged 
him  to  tell  me  a  story.  He  told  me  about  Joseph 
in  Egypt  with  such  emotion  that  I  felt  as  if  he  him- 
self had  witnessed  the  circumstances  he  so  feelingly 
described,  especially  Joseph's  making  himself  known 
to  his  brethren,  an  incident  over  which  my  father 
wept  perhaps  as  much  as  Joseph  himself.  Morning 
after  morning  the  request  was  repeated,  "  Tell  me 
again  about  Joseph,"  and  morning  after  morning  the 
narrative  was  repeated  with  undiminished  emotion. 

His  affection  for  his  mother  was  very  strong. 
For  many  years  she  was  supported  by  him,  and  when 
his  pecuniary  resources  were  very  small  he  loved  to 


252  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

minister  to  her  necessities.  He  head  sent  at  the  usual 
time,  through  the  post-office,  a  <£5  note  which  was 
stolen.  His  mother  anxiously  waited  till  her  re- 
sources were  nearly  exhausted.  At  length  she  wrote, 
"  My  son  Joseph  in  Egypt,  the  com  is  nearly  gone." 
Great  was  his  grief.  Another  note  was  promptly 
posted  in  a  letter,  on  the  outside  of  which  was  writ- 
ten, "This  letter  contains  a  £5  note.  The  last  was 
stolen.  Please  let  this  pass ;  it  is  for  a  poor  widow." 
It  arrived  safely.  Often  have  his  children  heard 
him  speak  with  choking  utterance  and  streaming 
eyes  of  how  this  mother  died  with  these  words  on 
her  lips :  "  The  Lord  bless  him,  my  Joseph  in 
Egypt;  the  Lord  bless  him,  bless  him,  bless  him." 
Verily  the  prayer  was  answered,  and  the  promise 
literally  fulfilled,  "Thy  days  shall  be  long  in  the 
land." 

In  the  domestic  circle  he  was  all  tenderness  and 
unselfishness,  delighting  to  provide  for  the  comfort 
and  enjoyment  of  his  family,  but  seeking  no  separate 
gratification  for  himself.  I  should  think  there  have 
been  few  whose  personal  expenses  were  so  small  as 
compared  with  the  measure  of  his  outlay  for  others. 
To  his  wife,  as  the  journal  abundantly  testifies,  lie 
ever  showed  the  most  tender  and  considerate  affec- 
tion ;  an  ardent  lover  as  well  as  a  faithful  husband 
to  the  very  last.  He  entered  with  all  his  heart  into 
the  joys,  sorrows,  and  r>rojects  of  his  elder  children, 
and  delighted  to  romp  with  the  younger.  He  treas- 
ured up  with  great  interest  specimens  <'i'  our  first 
efforts  in  writing  and  drawing.  His  generosity  of 
heart  led  him  to  rejoice  in  the  pleasures  of  others. 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  253 

even  though  he  could  not  share  them.  Mauy  times 
when,  through  pressure  of  business,  he  was  unable 
to  join  his  family  in  their  excursions  of  pleasure,  he 
took  the  greatest  interest  in  their  comfort  and  enjoy- 
ment, tapping  his  barometer  to  see  if  the  weather 
would  be  suitable,  and  parting  with  them  at  the 
door  with  the  kindest  expressions;  then,  on  their 
return,  meeting  them  so  pleasantly,  and  hearing  wiui 
evident  delight  and  gratitude  their  accounts  of  a 
happy  day.  The  family  scene  on  a  Sunday  evening, 
when  parents  and  children  sat  round  the  fire  repeat- 
ing hymns,  will  ever  be  fresh  in  the  memory  of  us 
all.  He  always  commenced,  the  child  on  his  left 
hand  following,  and  so  on,  round  and  round  the 
circle,  till  it  was  time  to  break  up  for  evening  ser- 
vice. With  what  pathos  would  he  repeat  his  special 
favorites,  such  as,  "Oh  for  a  heart  to  praise  my 
God,"  "  Guide  me,  O  thou  great  Jehovah,"  etc.  And 
sometimes,  with  peculiar  solemnity,  he  would  inter- 
rupt the  repetition  by  urging  on  us  to  give  our 
hearts  entirely  to  God,  so  that  we  might  all  meet,  a 
redeemed  family  in  heaven.  This  hallowed  exercise 
of  speaking  to  one  another  in  psalms  and  hymns 
and  spiritual  songs  would  then  close  by  all  uniting 
in  singing, 

"May  the  grace  of  Christ  our  Saviour, 
And  the  Father's  boundless  love, 
With  the  Holy  Spirit's  favor, 
Rest  upon  us  from  above: 

May  Ave  thus  abide  in  anion 

With  each  other  and  the  Lord, 
And  possess  in  sweet  communion 

Joys  which  earth  cannot  afford." 


254  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

This  "hyinn-repeating"  is  continued  by  bis  children 
to  tbe  third  generation — a  valuable  incentive  to  per- 
sonal piety  by  tbose  at  borne,  and  a  precious  bond 
of  synipatby  with  tbose  afar  off.  My  brotber  Ar- 
thur, referring  to  tbese  family  gatherings,  writes, 
"  Hallowed  seasons  tbese.  Often,  when  tossed  upon 
the  billows  of  the  deep,  or  upon  tbe  still  more  dan- 
gerous depths  of  sin,  bas  tbe  returning  Sabbath 
evening  hour  of  hymns  and  psalms  been  to  my  soul 
bke  the  sheet-anchor  to  a  storm-tossed  mariner. 
'They  are  now  engaged  in  repeating  hymns,  and  I 
in  the  service  of  the  devil.'  Often  have  tears  start- 
ed at  the  thought.  Such  were  some  of  the  cables 
which  bound  our  hearts  to  the  family  circle,  and 
held  us  in  many  a  hurricane  of  temptation  from 
being  driven  upon  the  rocks  of  sin.  It  was  the 
holy,  consistent  life  of  my  honored  parents  at  homo 
that  alone  saved  me  from  falling  into  the  fearful 
abyss  of  infidelity.  I  bad  joined  an  infidel  club. 
In  my  ignorance  I  deemed  the  arguments  against 
the  Bible  conclusive.  I  wanted  to  disbelieve  what 
marred  my  sinful  pleasure.  I  began  to  inspect  the 
lives  of  professors,  and  tried  to  put  them  all  down 
as  more  or  less  deceived  or  deceivers,  as  hypocrites 
and  humbugs.  But  when  I  looked  at  home,  I  felt 
that  there  at  any  rate  were  two  whose  lives  were 
daily  evidences  of  the  truthfulness  of  their  profes- 
sion. I  believe  it  would  have  rejoiced  me  to  have 
detected  a  flaw  in  the  religious  consistency  of  my 
parents;  but  I  could  not,  and  their  Uvea  upset  all 
the  sophistry  of  tho  dcbating-room.  I  said  to  my- 
self, 'Whatever  others  may  be,  I  know  that  my 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  255 

father  and  mother  are  sincere.  Their  holy  lives 
persuade  me  there  must  bo  something  in  religion, 
after  all.' " 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  that,  whereas  my  father 
dated  his  conversion  from  March  14,  1812,  it  was 
not  till  November  19,  1818,  that  he  was  finally  vic- 
torious over  his  besetting  sin.  During  upwards  of 
six  years  the  conflict  lasted,  and  often  the  flesh 
seemed  to  have  gained  complete  victory  over  the 
spirit.  Was  he  then  insincere  in  his  religious  con- 
victions during  that  period?  Norte  who  read  the 
original  diary  can  think  -so;  few  who  read  the  ex- 
tracts given  in  this  volume.  My  own  full  persua- 
sion is  that,  from  the  14th  of  March,  1812,  my  father 
became  a  real  Christian,  in  spite  of  his  lamentable 
failures  while  the  stern  struggle  lasted  with  the  evil 
habits  by  which  he  was  "tied  and  bound."  Surely 
his  example  teaches  the  duty  of  long-suffering  for- 
bearance towards  all  who  manifest  any  desire  for 
reformation,  however  numerous  and  distressing 
may  be  their  temporary  relapses.  In  this  respect 
the  conduct  of  the  Methodists  at  Worcester  well 
deserves  praise  and  imitation.  God's  forbearance 
with  us  should  make  us  forbearing  with  our  fellow- 
sinners.  The  church  should  never  sanction  sin,  but 
should  never  cease  to  bear  with  it  patiently,  and 
should  never  cast  off  its  erring  members  so  Lug  as 
they  have  any  compunction  for  their  faults.  Better 
to  err  on  the  side  of  charity  than  of  sternness —  to 
hold  a  fallen  brother  too  long,  so  as  to  incur  the 
charge  of  complicity,  than  to  cast  him  off  too  soon, 
so  as  to  plunge  him  into  hopeless  despair. 


256  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

But  how  was  it  that  the  conflict  lasted  so  long? 
How  came  it  to  pass  that,  in  spite  of  the  grace  of 
God,  the  study  of  the  Bible,  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel,  the  holy  sacraments,  the  society  of  Chris- 
tians, and  earnest  prayer — how  came  it  to  pass  that 
again  and  again  he  fell  so  grievously,  and  often 
seemed  so  nearly  lost?  Were  all  human  means 
used  which  were  appropriate  ?  In  my  father's  case 
habit  had  become  a  second  nature.  Moreover,  the 
occasional  lust  for  wine  had  assumed  the  diseased 
form  known  as  oinomania.  For  him,  entire  absti- 
nence was  essential  as  a  preventive  of  excess.  There 
were  times  when  a  single  glass  acted  as  a  spark  to 
gunpowder.  The  spark  might  have  been  withheld ; 
but  when  applied,  the  explosion  was  unavoidable. 
But  this  thought  did  not  occur  to  his  anxious  and 
distressed  friends.  Still  they  placed  wine  and  spir- 
its on  their  tables,  partaking  of  those  beverages  in 
his  presence,  and  encouraging  him  to  join  them, 
only  with  the  advice  to  be  moderate — advice  inap- 
plicable to  him.  At  length  medical  treatment  was 
resorted  to  and  medicine  prescribed.  But  that 
medicine  failed  till  abstinence  was  practised.  My 
opinion  is,  that  it  may  render  total  abstinence  less 
difficult;  but  that  total  abstinence  without  the  med- 
icine will  be  successful,  while  the  medicine  without 
total  abstinence  will  only  encourage  vain  hopes, 
and  do  more  harm  than  good. 

Had  my  father  abstained  altogether,  from  March 
1-i,  1812,  all  that  conflict,  disgrace,  agony,  and  peril 
had  been  spared.  Would  it  have  been  unphilosoph- 
ical  or  unscriptural  if  his  friends  had  said,  "  Broth- 


FILIAL   ItEMINISCENCES.  257 

er,  your  safety  requires  you  to  relinquish  these  bev- 
erages entirely.  It  is  especially  difficult  for  you, 
with  habits  so  inveterate  and  a  morbid  craving  so 
strong,  to  give  them  up.  It  is  scarcely  possible  for 
you  to  do  this  if  to  your  other  difficulties  is  super- 
added that  of  standing  alone,  and  being  remarked 
in  every  society.  It  is  easy  for  us  who  have  not 
your  infirmity.  For  your  sake  then  we  will  join 
you  in  a  resolution  of  abstinence.  We  will  not  hold 
before  your  eyes,  and  praise  in  your  hearing,  and 
enjoy  in  your  presence  that  which  Ave  know  yon 
cannot  safely  drink  yourself.  We  will  not  place 
before  you  a  temptation  too  strong  for  you  to  resist. 
And  so  to  encourage  you  in  what  is  for  you  abso- 
lutely necessary,  we  will  agree  with  you  totally  to 
discontinue  the  use  of  these  drinks  as  beverages." 
Who  can  doubt  that,  with  my  father's  deep  convic- 
tions, earnest  resolutions,  and  the  help  of  divine 
grace  so  evidently  imparted  to  him,  this  course 
would  have  been  successful  from  the  first  ? 

But  as  with  many  other  useful  discoveries,  the 
thing  which  is  simple  when  known,  was  not  then 
conceived  of.  But  it  is  different  now.  The  simple 
method  of  cure  by  abstinence,  the  application  to 
this  special  case  of  our  Saviour's  precept,  "  See  that 
ye  enter  not  into  temptation,"  is  well  known,  and  is 
the  means  of  rescuing  thousands  of  drunkards  annu- 
ally. I  am  almost  weekly  applied  to  for  advice  by 
persons  in  the  upper  classes  of  society  on  behalf  oi 
some  friend  whose  besetting  sin  is  intemperance. 
Beyond. the  general  advice  which  every  Christian 
would  give,  I  have  but  one  reply :  The  person  thus 


258  JOHN   VINE   HALL. 

ensnared  must  abstain,  and  his  friends  must  show 
their  sincerity  on  his  behalf  by  abstaining  too,  in 
order  to  render  it  easier  for  him.  I  venture  to  ask 
Whether  such  a  course  would  be  opposed  to  that 
Christianity  which  says,  "Unless  a  man  take  up  his 
cross  and  deny  himself,  he  cannot  be  my  disciple. 
Let  no  man  place  a  stumbling-block,  or  an  occasion 
to  fall,  in  his  brother's  way.  It  is  good  neither  to 
eat  flesh,  nor  to  drink  wine,  nor  any  thing  whereby 
thy  brother  stumbleth,  is  often ded,  or  made  weak." 

Bending  over  these  memorials,  was  it  fanatical 
if  my  brother  Arthur  and  myself  resolved,  by  the 
help  of  God,  more  fervently  than  ever  to  wage  wai 
against  those  pernicious  drinking  customs  which 
annually  destroy  so  many  thousands  of  precious 
souls,  and  to  which  our  honored  father  so  nearly 
fell  a  victim  ?  Had  he  not  been  rescued,  how  use- 
fid  a  life,  how  bright  an  example  would  have  bees 
lost  to  the  church;  how  precious  a  jewel  would  have 
been  missing  from  the  Saviour's  crown!  And  what 
would  his  children  have  become  ? 

My  father's  strong  faith  in  the  power  of  prayer 
was  aided  by  several  remarkable  instances  in  his 
own  history.  On  March  14,  1812,  when  ho  seemed 
to  hear  a  voice  saying,  "If  thou  wilt  forsake  thy 
sins  they  shall  be  forgiven  thee,"  a  day  which  he 
always  regarded  as  that  of  his  spiritual  as  well  as 
his  natural  birth,  my  mother  had  been  more  than 
ordinarily  earnest  in  prayer,  in  consequence  of  the 
sad  condition  into  which  at  that  time  he  had  fallen, 
Having,  in  the  last  extremity,  implored  some  specinl 
succor  when,  without  an  almost  miraculous  interval 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  259 

tion,  utter  ruin  seemed  inevitable,  she  went  out 
on  some  domestic  affairs;  and  when  she  returned 
found  my  father,  as  above  described,  "a  new  crea- 
ture." 

My  brother  Arthur  says,   "One  department  of 
his  business  at  Maidstone  was  an  extensive  wine 
trade,  handed  down  froni  his  predecessor.     Though 
an  abstainer  from  wine  from  personal  considera- 
tions, he  did  not  then  see  any  impropriety  in  the 
traffic,  as  he  did  not  supply  public-houses,  but  only 
the  nobility  and  gentry  of  the  neighborhood.     Tho 
formation  of  Total  Abstinence  Societies  led  to  the 
discussion  of  the  traffic  question.     At  that  time  I 
despised  teetotahsm,  and  expressed  my  determina- 
tion that  when  I  had  a  share  of  the  business  I 
would  push  the  wine  department.     When  circum- 
stances had  led  me  to  London  for  a  time,  my  father 
saw  the  danger  to  which  I  should  be  exposed  on  my 
return,  and  in  my  absence  determined  to  give  up 
the  trade,  refusing  to  sell  it  as  such,  at  a  premium, 
and  simply  making  over  the  stock  at  a  valuation  to 
another  wine-merchant.     He  earnestly  prayed'that 
the  opposition  I  should  certainly  make  to  his  act 
might  be  removed.      That  prayer  was  answered. 
Unknown  to  my  parents,  I  had  at  the  same  time, 
in  London,  become  convinced  of  the  importance  of 
teetotahsm  as  an  agent  of  physical,  political,  and 
moral  good,  not  then  seeing  its  vast  importance  in  a 
religious  point  of  view.     I  determined  to  go  home 
and  sign  the  pledge  in  nry  native  town,  where  I  was 
well  known  as  an  enemy  of  total  abstinence.      I 
sent  word  that  I  was  coming,  but  did  not  explain  my 


2G0  JOHN    VINE    HALL. 

object.  Before  entering  the  house  I  went  to  the 
secretary  of  the  society   and  signed   the   pledge. 

This  detained  me  some  little  while.  "Well  do  I  re- 
member that  night.  My  father  had  given  me  up, 
as  the  omnibus  had  passed  the  door  several  min- 
utes, and  he  was  pleasurably  astonished  to  see  mo 
enter.  'What  makes  you  so  late?'  said  he. 
'  I  've  been  to  sign  the  pledge,'  I  replied.  My  par- 
ents looked  at  each  other  speechless,  my  father's 
arms  upraised  in  gratitude  and  astonishment.  Their 
prayer  had  been  answered.  That  night  was  a 
memorable  one  in  my  history.  Signing  that  pledge 
was  the  first  step  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  though  I 
knew  it  not  then.  As  with  thousands,  so  with  me, 
it  was  my  stepping  stone  to  salvation." 

His  religion  exhibited  a  remarkable  combination 
of  personal  strictness,  with  charitable  consideration 
of  others.  He  had  no  relish  for  general  society,  or 
for  amusements  which  some  devout  people  regard 
as  unobjectionable.  But  ho  never  made  his  own 
conduct  a  rule  for  others,  or  questioned  the  sincer- 
ity of  those  who  differed  from  himself  in  reference 
to  what  was  not  absolutely  condemned  by  the  word 
of  God.  He  would  never  tolerate  conversation  which 
had  even  the  appearance  of  backbiting  or  slander. 
Nor  could  he  endure  any  approach  to  angry  alterca- 
tion. He  has  often  quietly  left  the  room,  when  even 
a  pleasant  argument  has  been  carried  on,  as  he 
thought,  too  warm]}-.  His  was  the  charity  that  "en- 
vieth  not,  is  not  puffed  up,  is  not  easily  provoked, 
thinketh  no  evil,"  but  "hopeth  all  things  and  endur- 
eth  all  things." 


FILIAL    REMINISCENCES.  261 

The  modest  character  of  his  Christian  confidence 
and  joy  is  illustrated  by  the  following  conversation, 
which  he  frequently  quoted,  between  the  Rev.  Row- 
land Hill  and  himself.  On  the  second  visit  of  this 
eminent  preacher,  my  father,  in  reply  to  an  inquiry 
after  his  welfare,  said,  "I  am  just  where  you  left 
me."  "What,"  said  Mr.  Hill,  "got  no  farther?" 
"No,"  said  my  father,  "not  a  step."  ""Where  was 
it  then?"  inquired  Mr.  Hill.  "Rejoicing  with  trem- 
bling," was  the  reply.  "Be  sure  and  stop  there," 
eagerly  responded  the  venerable  evangelist,  "  do  n't 
try  to  go  a  step  beyond.  I  'vc  met  sometimes  with 
people  who  got  further  than  that,  and  when  I  have 
asked  about  them  they  had  got  away  out  of  sight 
altogether.  My  old  book  says,  'Blessed  is  the  man 
that  feareth  always.' " 

I  never  met  with  any  Christian  who  was  so  con- 
stantly bearing  witness  to  the  love  of  Christ.  He 
was  indeed  "instant  in  season  and  out  of  season." 
For  many  years  he  regularly  visited  the  prison,  and 
conducted  a  religious  service  weekly  in  the  work- 
house. But  his  chief  labors  were  with  individuals. 
It  was  scarcely  possible  to  be  in  his  company  a 
few  minutes  without  hearing  from  his  lips  some  tes- 
timony for  God.  He  used  to  delight  in  placing  in 
the  hedges  copies  of  "The  Sinner's  Friend"  open  at 
the  page,  "  Sinner,  this  little  book  is  for  you."  Be- 
ing reminded  of  this  during  his  illness,  ho  said, 
"Yes  ;  and  I  always  stuck  them  up  with  a  prayer." 
In  coaches,  steam-boats,  by  the  roadside,  it  was  his 
habit  to  present  a  religious  tract  to  young  and  old, 
rich  and  poor,  and  generally  to  enter  into  conversa- 


262  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

tion  with  them.  That  which  would  have  been  felt 
intrusive  in  most  people,  did  not  seem  so  in  him.  So 
impressive  yet  so  benevolent  and  courteous  was  his 
manner,  that  even  when  the  theme  was  uncongenial 
he  himself  was  listened  to  with  interest.  However 
busy  he  might  be  he  was  always  ready  to  speak  of 
Christ,  and  to  engage  in  religious  exercises.  I  have 
often  seen  him,  when  immersed  in  cares  and  labors, 
lay  down  his  pen  on  the  entrance  of  a  Christian 
friend,  speak  to  him  for  a  few  minutes  with  the  ut- 
most spiritual  ardor  on  heavenly  subjects,  and  then 
resume  his  work  as  if  there  had  been  no  interrup- 
tion. He  often  said  he  was  like  a  bottle  containing 
water  and  oil;  when  shaken,  the  oil  is  mixed  with 
the  water,  but  the  moment  the  bottle  is  at  rest,  tin? 
oil  mounts  to  the  surface.  Fervent  love  to  God  in 
Christ,  to  a  living,  personal,  divine  Saviour  and 
Friend,  was  habitually  the  dominant  emotion  in  his 
soul,  and  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart  his  mouth 
spoke. 

He  concerned  himself  very  little  with  abstruse 
theological  questions.  His  all-absorbing  thought 
was  this,  "God  is  love.  Jesus  is  the  Friend  of  sin- 
ners. He  has  saved  me,  even  me.  He  is  able  to 
save  to  the  uttermost  all  who  come  unto  God  by 
him.  He  is  able  and  willing  to  save  you."  This 
was  the  burden  of  his  speech  for  nearly  fifty  years. 
This  was  the  message  which  he  sent  all  over  the 
world  by  his  little  tract.  And  I  feel  I  cannot  close 
this  sketch  in  a  manner  more  pleasing  to  himself 
than  by  quoting  his  appeal  on  the  first  page  of  that 
tract : 


FILIAL   REMINISCENCES.  263 

"Sinner,  this  little  book  is  for  you:  to  give  you 
hope  and  comfort,  joy  and  peace. 

"Only  believe  in  the  ivittingness  of  God  to  for- 
give every  PENITENT  sinner,  and  pray  earnestly  to 
Iiini  for  mercy,  and  rest  assured  that  if  you  are  truly 
penitent,  not  else,  he  u-'ill  pardon  you,  yes,  even 
you,  for  the  sake  of  his  beloved  Son. 

"Eemembee,  'the  Lord  waiteth  to  be  gracious' 
unto  you,  therefore  put  away  the  temptations  of 
Satan,  who  would  have  you  distrust  the  mercies  of 
God,  and  persuade  you  to  believe  that  your  sins  are 
too  great  to  be  pardoned.  This  is  impossible;  and 
the  reason  is,  because  the  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth 
us  from  all  sin.     1  John  1:7. 

"  '  Let  not  conscience  make  yon  linger, 
Nor  of  fitness  madly  dream  ; 
The  only  fitness  He  reqnireth, 
Is  to  feel  your  need  of  Him.' 

"  Secret,  earnest  jorayer,  is  the  never  failing  meth- 
od of  obtaining  relief  and  comfort  in  seasons  of  the 
deepest  distress. 

"A  tender,  broken,  contrite  heart;  a  huinblo 
consciousness  of  having  merited  condemnation ;  an 
earnest  application  for  mercy — these  are  things 
which  accompany,  salvation,  and  tvill  always  be  re- 
ceived by  our  gracious  God. 

"  The  reader  of  this  little  book  must  remember, 
that,  of  Idmself,  he  can  do  nothing  to  merit  the  favor 
of  God ;  but  he  need  not  be  discouraged,  for  God  is 
willing  to  bestow  his  Holy  Spirit  on  every  one  who 
usketh;  and  also  to  give  repentance,  faith,  and  tho 
spirit  of  prayer  to  every  seeking  soul ;  none  denied" 


264  JOHN   VINE    HALL. 

The  mortal  remains  of  Mr.  J.  V.  Hall  were  in- 
terred in  Abncy  Park  cemetery,  on  September  26, 
18G0. 

His  true  monument,  "The  Sinner's  Friend,"  is  in 
every  land.  His  tombstone  in  the  cemetery  beais 
this  inscription : 

In  JJcnionj 

OF 

JOHN  VINE   HALL, 

THE  BELOVED  AND  HONORED  AUTHOR  OF  "THE  KENMEB'S  FRIEND, 
WHO  ENTERED  INTO  THE  JOY  OF  HIS  LORD, 

SEPTEMBER  22,  18G0, ' 
IN  HIS  EIGHTY-SEVENTH  YEAR 

"  REDEEMED  WITH  THE  ERECIOU8  BLOOD  OF  CHRIST." 


